The two remaining unbeaten teams India vs New Zealand face off against each other in Trent Bridge in what promises to be a cracking contest, provided the rain gods are kind. India will miss the services of Shikhar Dhawan and will have to change and shuffle their stable batting order. New Zealand will wait for Tim Southee to be declared match fit.
Form:-
India come into the game brimming with confidence. Their fabled batting line-up dominated the Australian bowling attack. We witnessed the flexibility of the batting order, which has developed the feared ability of batting according to the situation. There will be some questions raised about the bowling, especially Hardik Pandya’s ineffectiveness to get wickets in the middle overs.
New Zealand faced off against relatively easier opponents in their first three matches but they have a very balanced side and individual match-winners who can single-handedly turn games on their head.
Predicted XIs:-
India :- Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli(c), Vijay Shankar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni(wk), Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand :- Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham(wk), Jimmy Neesham, Colin De Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry/Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson
Tim Southee has recovered from his calf injury and will look to share the new ball with Boult. He will have to come through the practice sessions unscathed to play against India. If he is declared unfit he will be replaced by Matt Henry, who has blown hot and cold.
Pitch and Conditions:-
Trent Bridge is heavily batsmen friendly, with 6.27 runs per over being scored since 2014. There is no safe target batting first, teams usually prefer to chase. The weather forecast predicts a 80% chance of rain.
The pitch is flat and has a tinge of grass which may be shaved before the game. There will be some moisture underneath the surface due to persistent rains.
Strategy:-
Shikhar Dhawan’s absence will be a massive blow for India, but it can be a blessing in disguise. Having Vijay Shankar in the squad gives India a sixth bowling option and this can enable Kohli to share the load of Pandya’s 10 overs with Vijay Shankar. Trent Bridge is a batsman’s paradise, with a flat pitch and short (well awkward) boundaries and both teams have the batting depth to chase any total.
India’s biggest batting weakness was exposed by the Kiwis in the World Cup warm-up match. If India lose wickets early, the middle and lower-middle order will find it tough to build partnerships. New Zealand have two of the best swing bowlers in ODI cricket in Trent Boult and Tim Southee. If the pitch offers even a hint of swing, the Indian batsmen will be tested immensely. The World Cup’s highest wicket-taker Lockie Ferguson is a looming threat and will look to tie India down.
New Zealand’s explosive openers and their trusted middle order will look to launch into the Indian bowlers with some fearless batting. If either Guptill or Munro gets going, it is going to be a long day for the Indians.
X-Factors:-
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to his best against Australia with an impressive death bowling display. He silenced many critics and will look to take this confidence throughout the World Cup. The Kiwis’ dangerous opening pair of Martin Guptill and Colin Munro can blaze away from the start but Bhuvneshwar will look to snuff the danger with some smart bowling.
Tom Latham and Ross Taylor are outstanding players of spin. They will be the key wickets for the Indian spinners. India vs New Zealand battle with Kuldeep and Chahal will be crucial in deciding who comes out on top.
Read More : If Shikhar Dhawan Is Ruled Out Of ICC Cricket WC What Does Indian Playing 11 Look Like.
Read More : India Outmuscle Australia As Shikhar Dhawan Stars
Originally published at Sporcial.
