New Zealand and India have played each other a lot each other recently. India was there in New Zealand for a five-match ODI series which they won comfortably. India also faced New Zealand in the warm-up game ahead of the world cup. New Zealand has had a great start to the World Cup, winning all their three games so far. Bowling has been the highlight so far for the Kiwis as they have dismissed teams under 200 twice in 3 games so far. Trent Boult the leader of their attack has looked in brilliant form with the new ball and so has been Lockie Ferguson. Their back up bowling of Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme have done as well.
Mitchell Santner who has played as their lone spinner hasn’t had to do much so far but has looked okay in the chances he has got.
The only concern for the Blackcaps will be that their batting hasn’t been tested enough. They have had to chase low targets and the batters have done well to complete those games easily. The openers look in decent touch and the two veterans Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have looked in an amazing form so far. They have been winning games, so New Zealand will not be tampering with their XI so much and will mostly play the same one which took on Afghanistan.
For India though they were jolted with the news of an injury to Shikhar Dhawan which means that the centurion from the previous game will be missing out. The Indian team has had a good start as well as winning both their games comfortably. The bowling has looked in great form with Jasprit Bumrah looking in excellent rhythm. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the two spinners have done well as well in the first two games. The biggest concern for India going into this game will be the dreaded number 4 spot again. KL Rahul in all probability will open in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan, which means India have a to slot someone else at the number four spot. The options are Vijay Shankar, Dinesh Karthik or play MS Dhoni at that spot and pick someone like Ravindra Jadeja. Lots to think about for the Indian camp ahead of the game.
Head to Head:
India has the upper hand in ODIs over New Zealand historically but in World cup, though the Kiwis hold a slight edge with a 4-3 win/loss record.
Key Players:
Rohit Sharma (India): Rohit Sharma has been in brilliant form since the start of this tournament. In the absence of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit who is one of the most experienced top-order batsmen for India will have the responsibility to provide India with the start they are looking for. He will have a new partner to open with him and with New Zealand’s strength being their new ball prowess, the success of the openers is crucial for setting a platform.
Yuzvendra Chahal (India): While India has a varied bowling attack who have been working well together as a unit, Chahal has been brilliant in the middle overs. Even though Kuldeep has found a little hard to find his footing so far in the tournament, Chahal has been able to provide India the breakthroughs in the middle overs. With a few power hitters in the New Zealand line up, he will once again be important to put the breaks on the scoring and also to take wickets.
Ross Taylor (New Zealand): Ross Taylor has had a great world cup so far and by far New Zealand’s best white ball batter at the moment. He in combination with captain Kane Williamson is the backbone of the Kiwi batting line up and he will once again be instrumental in helping his team put up a good total. New Zealand openers haven’t been consistent over the last few months which puts lots of onus on Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson but again they haven’t faltered yet to take in that responsibility.
Trent Boult (New Zealand): Trent Boult has been the chief tormentor of the Indian top order in recent months. Over the last 4 years, he has 22 wickets against India and in favorable conditions, his swing into the pads of the right-handers has troubled the top order of India. With the weather once again expected to be overcast and pitch green, he will want to inflict the same damage he had done in the warm-up game.
What they said?
“As far as the batting order goes, yes, KL moves up at the top of the order, and there are various options the team management can utilize going into the next game. Obviously, Vijay Shankar is going to be an option, and there are a couple of others as well,” Said Bangar about Indian team combination in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan due to injury.
“Traditionally, it can favor the batters at times, but I’m sure that bowlers will be — going to have a little bit there. It’s been out in the kettles for two or three days and hasn’t seen the sun.” Said Ross Taylor about the conditions at Nottingham ahead of their clash against India.
Probable XIs:
India XI:
Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (capt), Vijay Shankar/Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand XI:
Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (capt), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
It has been raining in Nottingham over the past few days and there is a chance that we might not have a full game or no game at all later today. India and New Zealand both would hope for a full game and will be wishing for the rain to stay away. India has had an upper hand against New Zealand over the last few years and if the weather keeps away there is no reason for that not to continue at Nottingham.
