. . . But others think differently

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt: ‘‘When we talk about the selection headaches of the Indian team, we should note that New Zealand will also have a dilemma. Both teams are full of good resources. This is the Black Caps’ golden era. The New Zealand team was never so good. ‘‘Defeating England in a home test series is a considerable achievement, and New Zealand deserve the credit. They played the second test without the likes of Kane Williamson, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson. Still, they looked comfortable, easily better than England. It speaks volumes of their bench strength.’’

Former England captain Michael Vaughan: ‘‘New Zealand are a high class team . . . read the situation with the bat in hand, skilful with the ball and catch brilliantly. I fancy them to beat India.’’

Former England spinner Monty Panesar: ‘‘New Zealand look slightly the better side, the reason being they have a lot more variations. They have a left-armer [Trent Boult and Neil Wagner], right-armer [Tim Southee] and the tall bowler Jamieson as well. ‘‘Tim Southee will trouble the Indians the most in the swinging conditions. He is quite clever. He draws the batsman in by bowling slightly wide of the crease and slightly fuller. And that’s gonna be the danger ball for the Indian batsman.’’

Former New Zealand allrounder Scott Styris: ‘‘It is pitch dependent . . . I can’t stress that enough. If the ball is moving around then Rohit [Sharma, Indian opening batsman] will have his struggles. ‘‘There is no secret to New Zealand’s fast bowling plan . . . that is Southee, Boult and either Jamieson or [Colin] de Grandhomme will be the third seamer, and they bowled till about the 22nd to 28th over with a new ball. ‘‘Then Neil Wagner comes into the equation . . . it’s his ability to be aggressive and be a genuine wicket-taking option for somebody like [Indian captain and star batsman Virat] Kohli in those middle overs till the new ball comes around.’’