India vs New Zealand 2019: 3 Steps to success for the visitors in the 2nd ODI
India got off to the ideal start at Napier as they dispatched a listless New Zealand side by 8 wickets. Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Shami starred with the ball while Dhawan got some much-needed runs under his belt.
The action now shifts to the Bay Oval in Tauranga as the hosts prepare for a quick response. India, on the other hand, would want to continue with the head of steam they’ve generated over the summer Down Under.
Having lost the 1st ODI to Australia, the Men in Blue have won their last three encounters and would back themselves to see out the series against New Zealand too.
India executed all their plans to perfection at Napier and were handsomely rewarded for their endeavours. Yet the last thing India can do now is rest on their laurels and allow New Zealand a lifeline at the Bay Oval.
Thus, through this article, we would take a look at three mantras India need to keep in mind when they take the field on Saturday.
#3 Pick early wickets
At Maclean Park, New Zealand opened with the destructive pair of Guptill and Munro. However, the duo wasn’t able to wreak havoc as Shami nipped them out in a bud with the new ball.
New Zealand is a top-heavy batting side with most of their firepower coming from Guptill, Munro and Williamson. Additionally, the hosts are missing the services of Neesham. With their premier middle-order dasher not in the fray, the top three has gained increased importance.
India is most likely to field Shami and Bhuvneshwar as their front-line seamers. Both are expert at handling the new ball and boast of the ability to swing the ball both ways. Thus, with India’s strength lying in the new ball department, the visitors need to draw first blood at the Bay Oval and dent New Zealand’s batting early.
On several occasions across the globe, teams have struggled to redeem themselves after a poor start and with New Zealand’s over reliance on their top order, it is imperative that India make early inroads and rock the hosts’ boat at the outset.
If the Indian pacers are able to pick up wickets in the power-play, they might just end up ‘swinging’ the match in their favour.