India take on New Zealand in the crucial second Test

With India in a spot of bother, focus has undeniably been on the nature of the pitch

Jolted by an unexpected loss on home turf, star-heavy India will look for the right balance in the line-up to counter-attack against a spunky New Zealand in the crucial second Test beginning here on Thursday.

After being shot out for an embarrassing 46 in the first innings at Bengaluru, India's resolute show in the second innings could not prevent an eight-wicket pounding which saw the top-ranked team in the World Test Championship table dropping points even though it continues to hold the top spot.

Winning the next two Tests will be the first priority for Rohit Sharma and his men before they hit the Australian shores for a five-Test affair next month.