India’s opening pair of Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw although inexperienced but they have enough talent to do well in the upcoming two-Test series, feels New Zealand pace bowler Tim Southee. With Rohit Sharma’s hamstring injury and KL Rahul not selected, the onus is on Shaw (2 Tests) and Agarwal (9 Tests) to provide India with a flying start against the likes of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Matt Henry in the series beginning on Friday.

“They are missing a couple of guys due to the injury but there are plenty guys who are talented and capable of stepping up when required. They had a good outing in Hamilton. Although, they may be inexperienced but at the same time, they are class players,” Tim Southee told PTI during a brief interaction on Wednesday.

“Obviously, these are home conditions and it favours us. But there are a number of things that you need to do well in here at the Basin Reserve and India will have to get used to it in the next three days,” Southee further added. “It’s a completely different format. India have played great Test cricket for a long period of time so it should be an evenly contested Test series.”

However, he also spoke about his long time pace partner experienced Trent Boult and their friendship and knowing each other’s skills well enough after playing for a long time.

“We have complemented each other for long with the left-arm and right arm combination. We are both capable of swinging the ball and knowing each other’s skills for so many years having played a lot of cricket together. We form a good partnership and hopefully we can carry it into the series,” Tim Southee concluded.