New Zealand secured a one-day international series win over Bangladesh this week with a match to spare and the dead rubber will be played on Saturday.
India has only minor concerns, but New Zealand's troubles across batting and bowling departments are more pronounced.
New Zealand find themselves in the a difficult group with two-time champions West Indies and Afghanistan also vying for the the top two spots.
New Zealand might be tempted to recall retired pacer Neil Wagner to the side for the second and final Test against Australia
Images from Day 1 of the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord's on Thursday, June 2, 2022.
Najmul Hossain Shanto produced a captain's hundred and forged two significant partnerships to put Bangladesh in a commanding position in the opening Test against New Zealand in Sylhet on Thursday.
The KKR attack prowled together and ensured that Rajasthan could barely set a par total.
Images from the T20 World Cup Group C match between the West Indies and New Zealand in Trinidad on Thursday.
Pakistan lost two early wickets before captain Babar Azam steadied the ship with an innings of 79.
Gus Atkinson took a hat-trick as England stayed on course for a dominant victory in the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday, reaching 378 for 5 at the close of play on Day 2 with an imposing lead of 533.
IMAGES from Day 2 of the 1st Test played between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, on Thursday.
India were in danger of suffering their first home test loss to New Zealand since 1988, despite Sarfaraz Khan's 150 and Rishabh Pant's 99, when the tourists bowled them out for 462 on the fourth day of their rain-interrupted series opener on Saturday.
Fast bowler Tim Southee will lead the Black Caps in the five matches against England starting in Christchurch on November 1.
India are leading by 32 runs with eight wickets in hand, going into the final day of the title clash.
Pace spearhead Trent Boult has been omitted from the white-ball squad a few months after being released from his national contract.
Kane Williamson reached 29 tons in 95 Tests (165 innings) while Kohli played 111 Tests (187) innings for his 29 centuries.
Injuries to frontline fast bowlers have forced New Zealand to opt for fresh blood in their pace attack for the three-match ODI series against India starting February 5 in Hamilton. Kyle Jamieson could be in for a potential debut, while Scott Kuggeleijn and Hamish Bennett return to the squad after a long absence. Injury has meant the likes of Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry are unavailable for the series.
India captain Rohit Sharma was named the 'Men's International Cricketer of the Year', while former head coach Rahul Dravid was conferred with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at the Ceat Cricket Rating Awards 2023-24 here on Wednesday.
'An important piece of carry-on luggage here. The #WTC21 Mace will travel to its new home in style.'
"He has indicated he's available for the World Cup," Stead told reporters.
Hathurusingha was also fully aware of the difficulty posed by his lack of red-ball cricket experience before the series.
Delhi Capitals bowler Ravichandran Ashwin and Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Eoin Morgan were involved in a heated exchange after the former was dismissed by Tim Southee in the last over of Delhi's in the Indian Premier League match, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, on Tuesday.
Brydon Carse took six for 42 before England comfortably chased down their 104-run victory target in the first Test against New Zealand
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed a match haul of 10 wickets to bowl Bangladesh to a comprehensive 150-run victory against New Zealand in the opening Test in Sylhet on Saturday.
The first T20 game between India and New Zealand will be held in Jaipur beginning 1900 IST.
As the Champions Trophy kicks off, some memorable moments from past tournaments.
Test cricket will see two players featuring in their 100th game together for only the fourth time when India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and England batter Jonny Bairstow take the field in Dharamsala on Thursday.
Having already played their opening encounters in the ongoing cricket World Cup, it is time for New Zealand and the Netherlands to venture deep into the tournament as they face each other in Hyderabad on Monday.
Glenn Phillips smashed a quickfire half century to guide New Zealand to a two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the third one-day international in Karachi.
Born in Wellington to parents hailing from Bengaluru, the mop-haired left-hander emerged as a big crowd favourite in India when he played for the Black Caps in last year's 50-overs World Cup and for Chennai in this season's Indian Premier League.
Spin great Ravichandran Ashwin says New Zealand, despite the absence of the long-serving pace duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, who have quit playing the 50-over format, will pose a challenge to India.
The tourists will be without batsman Kane Williamson in Bengaluru after the former skipper opted out of the opener due to a groin injury, while paceman Ben Sears was ruled out of the series with a knee injury and replaced by Jacob Duffy.
'So there was some good fight there and they got some rewards late in the day. So yeah, I think both teams will be pleased with their efforts.'
Finch received a grand 'Guard of Honour' from the New Zealand players
South Africa's skipper Neil Brand made history on Monday, securing the best bowling figures by a bowler on his Test debut while leading the side.
New Zealand pacer Tim Southee has attributed his stellar success away from home in the last three years to adapting quickly to foreign conditions and honing his craft with the old ball.
Williamson's elbow injury kept him out of a Test match in India in December and home series against South Africa and Bangladesh.
Fans can expect a wide open tournament in the absence of an overwhelming favourite in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
Resuming on the fourth day in the second Test at 140 for 5, New Zealand folded up for 167 in the second innings after India set them a mammoth 540-run target.
Victory left New Zealand on 10 points and in pole position to bag the last semi-final spot and join India, South Africa and Australia. Pakistan will now need to beat England by a massive margin to leapfrog New Zealand on net run rate.
