New Zealand vs India 2014: Unleash Stuart Binny at the Kiwis

Team India kick started another overseas tour with a defeat to New Zealand in the 1st ODI at Napier and now, have a massive task on their hands to level things up when the two sides go head-to-head in Hamilton for the 2nd ODI. It was a mix of inconsistent bowling and overly-aggressive batting that lead to India not winning important phases in the game which consequently cost them the match by 24 runs.

New Zealand were clinical enough to play to their potential and now, should have a swagger about themselves to go on and put some serious pressure on India, should they win tomorrow and go 2-0 up in the 5-match series.

Continues to be the ‘target’ for opposition batsmen!

If India need to turn things around, they have a couple of selection choices to make. Ishant Sharma, for me, cannot find a place in the playing XI for what he continues to dish out, and it’s time that Dhoni makes a decision on how he chooses to utilize Ishant Sharma in the limited-overs format of the game.

Also, the Indian middle order looks incompetent to render any kind of solidity to the rest of the batting order, and largely, it was because of the lack of runs from the middle order that India lost the 1st game in Napier.

Albeit the aforementioned things might not seem all that alarming, they need to be addressed immediately, from the series’ perspective and also to find a team combination for next year’s world cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Picking Stuart Binny for the ODIs against New Zealand was a good choice in my view, but it’s high time that he gets a chance to show his credentials of being a prospective all-rounder.

A high-utility player

With Ishant Sharma mis-firing, and the middle order unable to churn out substantial runs, Binny’s batting capability could stabilize the middle order with another extra batsman and his gentle medium-pace bowling can be pertinent to the conditions that prevail in New Zealand.

Also, there’s no point in picking a player in the squad and then, not giving him a chance to see what he is capable of. Binny is an unknown commodity and his inclusion in the side for tomorrow’s game could spark off something positive. There’s way too much of liability to Ishant Sharma’s trade, and the timing of this series is hugely important in two ways.

Winning the series against New Zealand (both ODIs and Tests) would mean that India gain much needed confidence ahead of other massive tours of England and Australia later this year, and MS Dhoni, along with the Indian think-tank, has to be mindful of recognizing a team combination that will put up a credible title defence next year.

The 2nd ODI between India and New Zealand at Hamilton should be another good game, and if Stuart Binny gets a go, which I believe he should, then, Team India have a favorable team combination to put things right and get back on level terms.