News

India aim for maiden T20I series triumph in NZ

By Mumbai Indians

Being 2-0 up in the series, the Men in Blue are just one game away from bagging this five-match T20I series against the Kiwis. A charged team India is set to take on the Black Caps in Hamilton on Wednesday.

Prior to the match, here are five talking points:

Shami-Bumrah choke Kiwis, Jadeja fires

The Indian bowlers bounced back in style in the second T20I. Pace stalwarts Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, have been bowling well in tandem. The two had conceded just 43 runs between them in the 2nd T20I at Eden Park, enabling India to limit Williamson’s men to a below-par total.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has also been exceptional with the ball, claiming two out of the five Kiwi wickets in the previous game.

Shardul Thakur took a beating and conceded 21 from the only two overs that he bowled. It remains to be seen as to whether or not Navdeep Saini, who has been in good form recently, will replace him.

Hosts sloppy in the field

New Zealand have been one of the better fielding units in world cricket. To see them miss run-out chances is a rare The Kiwis missed running KL Rahul out twice in successive overs. Rahul capitalised and took India across the finish line. When they take the field in Hamilton, one can expect the Kiwis to step and be more alert on the field.

This happened multiple times in both the games. And given Rahul’s excellent form, this could clearly have been a missed chance at winning the match.

India’s bench strength

Virat Kohli and Co. will have the upcoming T20 World Cup and team formations in mind. With India 2-0 up, will he want to experiment?  The bench is strong too. In Sanju Samson, India have a flamboyant hitter and an additional ‘keeper. Navdeep Saini and Kuldeep Yadav could be called in anytime to replace Thakur and Chahal. ‘Keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and bowling all-rounder Washington Sunder too are handy players.

More matches won here batting first

At Hamilton’s Seddon Park, out of the 11 matches that have been played, six were won by the team batting first. The highest score recorded here is 212/4 while the lowest is a paltry 78.

The last time India and New Zealand faced each other here, the hosts registered a four-run victory over the Men in Blue. Colin Munro had scored a fine 72 (40) to take the Kiwis over the line.

India’s chance to script history

In Hamilton, India could script history. A win would mean that it will be India’s first T20I series win in New Zealand. India has not lost a single series since their exit from the 2019 Cricket World Cup at the hands of this very own side. Can New Zealand bounce back or will India take an unassailable 3-0 lead? Only time will tell.

The third T20I between India and New Zealand is scheduled at 12.30 pm IST on 29th January in Hamilton.