Live Cricket Score of India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test, Day 1 at Kolkata

Right. From the player who isn't playing to the ones who could be in. New Zealand will probably have a more straightforward decision to make. Henry Nicholls is likely to come in for Kane Williamson. Jeetan Patel would come in to for Mark Craig. Will the visitors give in to the the temptation to play an extra seamer? Matt Henry could come in for Ish Sodhi.

But who comes in for the injured KL Rahul for India. There's been a rather surprising return for veteran batsman Gautam Gambhir but the overwhelming thought is that Shikhar Dhawan has the first right of refusal for that role.

Who would you pick? What about Jayant Yadav the other off-spinner? Would India be tempted to field him with New Zealand likely to throw in another left-hander? Send in your opinions with a Tweet to @kaushik_cb.

Day 1 - Build Up: Williamson-less NZ seek turnaround

A 0-1 deficit in a three-match series is not easy to overturn. Particularly not against India, in India. To do so without your regular captain and the side's best batsman would be nothing short of a herculean task. These are the odds New Zealand face as they step into the hallowed Eden Gardens for the second Test. A 'crook' Kane Williamson has been forced out of the game and Ross Taylor will lead the visitors in his absence.

But while the problem is for real, it also offers a genuine possibility - an opportunity for someone to stand up and be counted. Taylor will have to use all his experience to marshal this eclectic bunch. And this is New Zealand. They thrive when they're being written off. So expect them to come at India just as hard.

And India? Well they're on an upswing and the news of Williamson sitting out would make them firm favourites to clinch the series. There's a No.1 Test ranking to be had along the way. They should be just as pumped up.

Welcome to Eden Gardens for game number 2 of this Test series. The drama has already begun...

Big Blow: Kane Williamson out with illness


With less than an hour to go for the toss, a massive piece of news has trickled in. Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the Kolkata Test due to illness. Ross Taylor will lead the side in his absence. Can the visitors, who arrive in Rainbow City with the hope of gaining level pegging in the series, cope without their regular skipper? Who can fill the Williamson-shaped void in the line-up? New Zealand management have a massive task to address before the start of the game.