New Zealand vs India 2014: 3rd ODI preview
India touring New Zealand this year has not been a very pleasant sight if you are a team India fan.
Well, it’s generally a similar scene whenever we go there and try but let’s stick to the present series.
The Kiwis lead the five match series 2-0 and if one looks at the statistics of both the matches he might be tempted to say that the encounters have been close.
About the last encounter, some might feel that Indian lads got unfortunate with Duckworth and Lewis watering out their victory plans.
There are some basic points on which team India has been faltering though.
The middle order has not clicked for like eternity now. Other than Virat Kohli everyone seems scared of the pitch and the Kiwi bowlers.
Indian bowling has been ordinary on bowling friendly pitches; especially Ishant Sharma who is supposed to be the senior pacer is bowling worse than most of the rookies who try out at the domestics.
India lost its number one ODI ranking with the defeat in the last match and another defeat means a series loss to Kiwis.
The third ODI is to be played on 25th January 2014 at the Eden Park in Auckland. India are in a must win situation with their back against the wall and the Kiwis will try to continue their super run and wrap the series up in Auckland itself.
This is what we can expect from this vital encounter between the two hugely talented sides.
Key players
Corey Anderson
Let’s begin with the man in form. Ever since hitting that trailblazing century against the West Indies, Anderson has been on fire with both bat and ball. He has been consistently among runs and also been picking vital wickets at times. Corey Anderson looks like the future of the Kiwi side. New Zealand would be hoping for him to again see them home like previous encounters.
Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum
Taylor is the most experienced and gritty batsman in the Kiwi side and experience counts. He is the sheet anchor for the middle order that can step up and make it big when the team requires him.
Brendon McCullum, other than being the skipper is also one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket who can single handedly win matches for his side and New Zealand can count on their captain charisma.
Jesse Ryder and Martin Guptill
Jesse Ryder is a special talent who can storm through the enemy attack in a whiff and destroy their morale. He has fought his demons and is back stronger than ever. He can be the most dangerous player on his day and is definitely one to look out for.
Martin Guptill complements Ryder perfectly in the top order. He is calm and focused and likes to spend time on the pitch. Indians will have to see him through early if they want to fancy their chances.
Kyle Mills Tim Southee and Mitchell McClenaghan
New Zealand pace attack has been hugely successful in restricting the strong Indian batting throughout the series. They are fully utilizing the bouncy and juicy surfaces of their home turf.
Mills is an old guard and his return brings some much needed experience to the attack. Southee is always handy and a wicket taker. Over the years he has improved hugely and keeps doing so.
McClenaghan is an exciting young prospect who has impressed one and all with his performance in this series and the think tank would expect him to continue his good run.
Virat Kohli
If there is one man who has shown absolute mastery on the testing pitches of New Zealand, it has been this guy. He has been in a tremendous form shutting down his critics convincingly. With 18 centuries already under his belt at an age of 25, he is having a dream run.
Like the previous two matches, expect Kohli to perform positively and fight till the very end.
MS Dhoni
Captain cool has looked good with the bat on the tour and has played a couple of gritty knocks. It’s good to see him back in form and the team shall be hoping for him to win the toss again and show some fireworks with the bat and gloves which can see them through to a much needed victory.
Mohammad Shami
He is the highest wicket taker in this series and India would like him to continue his form.
Ishwar Pandey
He is a bright young prospect and has taken tons of wickets in the domestic circuits. He is on the tour and he deserves a chance. Letting Ishant Sharma out for a while is something even the think tank would be considering.
Indian batsmen
The middle order needs to perform desperately if India has to do well. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan would also need to step up and play their part well. Its time, the ever popular Indian batting line up performs as per the fame.
An overview
The matches on this tour have been crackers and we can expect some really good cricket in the next outing as well.
Rain might be a very important factor in this match too just like the previous one, though India would be hoping otherwise as this match is a make or break encounter for them.
New Zealand on the other hand will look to finish it up at the Eden Park itself.
Will Virat Kohli hit yet another century? Will Corey Anderson keep making it big? Will the Indian batsmen finally find their long lost form?
There are a lot of questions which shall be answered tomorrow in Auckland.