New Zealand vs India: 5th ODI Preview - Unsettled India looks for answers

MS Dhoni’s side has been outplayed in this series

“We are still not sure who our fast bowling choices are. Back home, we talk about pace and bounce and we get bowlers who can bowl quick. But, they end up giving more runs even before the slog(overs).”

The underlying frustration in Dhoni’s point sums up how pathetic India’s campaign to New Zealand has been. Having been outplayed in every department of the game for over a week now does hurt a side’s morale. Worse, an eight-ranked team is doing all the damage.

The no.1 ranking is lost. Frailties exposed. The stroke-makers who, not too long ago, used to throw the kitchen sink at the opposition, are struggling to face the pace and bounce. The pace bowlers continue to irritate with the age old mistakes. Has Team India forgotten the winning formula?

It does seem so as they prepare to lock horns with the Kiwis for the fifth and final occasion in the series at the capital city of Wellington. Fear is that it could perhaps be yet another lopsided affair. Indians have just not been able to get their act together and to their horror, their adversaries have punched well about their weight.

A drop-in pitch with a green top at Wellington will only compound to Indian woes. MS Dhoni was severely criticised by cricketing pundits for his defensive strategy to bat second every time the coin tilted in his favour. In the previous encounter, he finally changed his mindset, deciding to bat first upon calling it rightly, only to end up strengthening his long -held viewpoint of not resting upon bowlers to win you matches.

Not the best of the series for Bhuvneshwar Kumar so far

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, for some strange reason, which only he could fathom, is expecting the ball to swing after pitching half way down the pitch!

If that wasn’t enough, Kumar dishes out gentle paced deliveries way outside the off stump to the hungry duo of Jesse Ryder and Martin Guptill, not to forget the centurion Ross Taylor.

That is not to state that the other seamers are putting up once-in-a-lifetime performances. Shami has picked up a fair number of wickets but expensively so. It’s simply a crime to allow Ross Taylor, with all due respect, score as many as 15 boundaries on the off side.

Moreover, the death bowling didn’t get any better. Aaron has had just two outings – so it will be unfair to drop him straightaway. However Bhuvi or Shami could make way for the untested lanky pacer, Ishwar Pandey.

Batting department, in all probability, will be rejigged once again. Ajinkya Rahane may be shown the boot for Shikhar Dhawan to come back. The change in personnel is inevitable even as it won’t be the solution to the grave core problems.

More essentially, a clear strategy and mindset with backup plans need to be put in place. The openers must, better, apply themselves and watchfully build a solid base for the thrashers to do what they do best.

Virat Kohli should be sent back to his no.3 position, where he is at comfort. Rayudu will have another stint at no.4 given the sort of application he showed in the previous game. Again, execution will be the key given it is easier said than done.

The Indian spin twins – Ashwin and Jadeja are keeping the Kiwi batsmen under check. On a turning Hamilton wicket, however, one would expect them to bend their backs and get India home – which obviously they didn’t. Probably, Dhoni might hand an opportunity to the experienced Amit Mishra who has been warming the benches for too long.

Not to forget, Ashwin’s combined average in the last 7 one dayers played overseas has been a shocking 179 odd. Letting partnerships flow along in middle overs is hurting India the most.

The disconnect between the Indian skipper and the selection panel needs to be sorted out too. It is no hidden fact that Binny didn’t figure in skipper’s radar. It was forced upon him -something that became quite clear with the way he used him – being listed to bat at 8 and given just 1 over to bowl.

Alan Wilkins aptly tweeted, “Nothing gained, nothing learned.” Binny must better be used as a finisher along with MS Dhoni and given fair number of overs to bowl.

As far as New Zealand are concerned, they have got very few things to ponder about. It seems to be a well-knit unit, executing the plans in all the three departments to perfection. Kane Williamson has been their consistent star – notching up 4 fifties back to back, henceforth setting up the innings beautifully for his side.

Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor and the Skipper Brendon Mccullum – are all in top form coming into the final ODI. Jesse Ryder is the only failure – not being able to convert his blazing starts, though.

The hosts have been impeccably accurate with the new ball. Their wicket taking tactics is working well too – catching the Indian bats off guard while countering the short, rising delivery earning the scalp. The hard seam of the new ball is being utilised to great effect. It will be interesting to see whether Mitchell McCleneghan is given a go or not. Nathan Mccullum is fulfilling his duty in the middle overs well.

All the 13 guys in the change room have already figured in the series. Hence, there won’t be much of shuffling in their eleven. Their focus will be on inflict mental damage upon India before the all-important Test series commences.