The most interesting aspect of the contest is the form of batters from both sides which has been the reason of their success so far.
Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson will take over the captain's role for the first time in his career as regular skipper Kane Williamson continues to recover from a knee injury, and his deputy Tom Latham has been rested for the series.
This is Ravichandran Ashwin's sixth stint at the top of the rankings. He first became number one in December 2015.
The 39-year-old Anderson, as he has done on numerous occasions, opened the attack for England and once he delivered the first ball of the contest, the seasoned campaigner became the oldest player to do so since India's Lala Amarnath.
Kane Williamson hit an unbeaten century as New Zealand beat South Africa by seven wickets on the fourth day of the second Test
Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi said Chennai is a familiar venue for his team.
David Bedingham scored his maiden Test century as South Africa handed New Zealand a victory target of 267 on a tricky pitch on the third day of the second and final Test.
Conway century lifted New Zealand to 309-6 against Pakistan
England are an ageing side alright, but few will dare to bet against Jos Buttler's men successfully defending their World Cup title in a few weeks time.
A fuming Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott slammed his team for their sloppy showing in the field against New Zealand.
After Ben Stokes enforced a follow on, New Zealand left the England bowlers frustrated on Day 3 of the second Test in Wellington.
Images from the second One-Day International between India and New Zealand, at Raipur.
But with the Kiwis set to play a total of 14 Tests during the current cycle, Mitchell knows his side have plenty of work ahead before they think about a potential place in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in the middle of 2025.
Aware of the dangers that spin wizard Rashid Khan poses as a bowler, New Zealand batters tried to work through his spell and were able to nullify the threat during their 149-run win over Afghanistan, said wicketkeeper-batter Glenn Phillips.
Daryl Mitchell's 129 and a 98 from skipper Tom Latham helped the Black Caps to an imposing 336-5 but Fakhar's fluent 180 from 144 balls and half centuries from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan got Pakistan across the line with 10 balls to spare.
The 31-year-old Williamson also sat out the two-Test home series against Bangladesh last month due to the niggling elbow issue.
New Zealand World Cup campaign on shaky ground as losses, injuries pile up
Images from the first One-Day International between New Zealand and India, in Auckland, on Friday.
Ahead of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023, here's a full list of the final squads of all ten teams.
On the eve of their World Cup match against New Zealand, at a venue whose outfield is in focus, Australian skipper Pat Cummins expressed hope that his teammates would be cautious while fielding.
IMAGES from the 3rd ODI played between India and New Zealand in Indore on Tuesday.
Hosts New Zealand were in trouble as Sri Lanka reduced the Kiwis to 165 for five on day two of the first Test.
Captain Babar Azam was delighted after hitting an unbeaten century as Pakistan notched up back-to-back wins over New Zealand with a 38-run victory over the tourists in the second Twenty20 International in Lahore on Saturday.
Pakistan scored 182 runs and Tom Latham's side fell well short of their target despite a hat-trick from Matt Henry, with Haris Rauf claiming four wickets for 18 runs as New Zealand were dismissed for 94, with more than four overs remaining.
None of New Zealand's batters were able to build on their starts
Record Stokes ton leads England to huge win over New Zealand
Mohammed Shami sizzled with a five-wicket haul in his first game of the World Cup.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing for the World Cup match against New Zealand?
Head coach Gary Stead and the team management are optimistic about Williamson's recovery.
We need to introspect and comeback stronger in next game, says Shreyas Iyer
Henry suffered the injury during the final day of the second Test against Pakistan in Karachi
Tom Latham will captain the team for an entire series for the first time in place of Kane Williamson, who suffered a recurrence of an elbow injury in India and will miss both Tests.
New Zealand's stand-in captain Tom Latham was delighted to have found a new hero in ton-up Rachin Ravindra as they began their World Cup campaign, obliterating champions England by 9 wickets in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
South Africa sealed a comprehensive 190-run victory over New Zealand on Wednesday for their sixth win in seven matches.
Skipper Rohit Sharma (46) led India's rollicking start but it was Kohli's fourth 50-plus score in five innings that helped to inflict on New Zealand their first defeat of the tournament.
New Zealand last toured Pakistan in 2003 for a white-ball series and since then have avoided touring the country because of security reasons.
"He has indicated he's available for the World Cup," Stead told reporters.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who were rested for the series, slipped one place each to 8th and 9th respectively.
Ishan Kishan had to sit out of the Sri Lanka series despite scoring the fastest double hundred in the history of ODIs against Bangladesh.
IMAGES from Day 3 of the 3rd Test played between England and New Zealand at Headingley on Saturday.
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