Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
What do we make of the first game? Were India really good or were New Zealand just really bad? If New Zealand improve significantly and India put in a similar performance, will it be enough for India to win again?
Truth be told, New Zealand were terrible but India did what they had to do, and were pretty good in getting their first ever T20I win over New Zealand. Thanks mainly to Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, India are now on the brink of another win in limited overs series. The Indians were rampant, and the fact that they were playing the number one team in the world + Ashish Nehra’s final game gave them plenty of motivation.
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| India’s bowling performance was impressive in 1st T20I |
India look the complete side at home, with all departments clicking in the first match. The bowlers strangled New Zealand down, and will be looking for a repeat. India’s challenge will be dealing with a New Zealand team that will be looking to bounce back.
New Zealand’s fielding, one area which they can really compete with India, let them down badly. Three dropped catches is going to cost you anywhere, especially in India.
Even worse, their batting especially has left them with further questions. Should Kane Williamson and Tom Latham play together in the middle order? Are they explosive enough? Who is New Zealand’s finisher? What is it going to take for Martin Guptill to get going? All food for thought ahead of their must-win game in Rajkot.
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| Yes, Kane. Plenty to think about…. |
Key to an India win
Maintaining their ruthless focus.
If we’re going to be honest, India’s team on paper at home is much stronger than New Zealand’s. India have firepower right throughout their line-up, with various players able to strike a big over that can change the game.
Also, India’s bowlers, despite the dew were brilliant. If you throw a ball into a swimming pool, and give it back to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, they’d still execute their yorkers and slower balls to perfection. The form of Yuzvendra Chahal was very impressive too.
The key for India will be maintaining the momentum.
Key to a New Zealand win
Batting, bowling and fielding all needs to improve.
New Zealand are now desperate for a better contribution from their “big four”. Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson and Tom Latham all put in underwhelming performances in the first game, after their bowlers were unable to take a wicket until the 17th over. They weren’t helped by poor fielding though, which also must improve.
What do New Zealand do with Colin Munro? I believe Kane Williamson should open the batting to compliment Martin Guptill, and have Munro bat as the finisher a little further down the order. Should Ross Taylor come back to the side? Surely he has plenty to offer.
New Zealand need to execute very well if they are to have a chance.
Stats & Facts:
- New Zealand’s “big four” scored 78 runs between them at a strike rate of just 102.63 in the 1st T20I
- Virat Kohli is just 12 runs away from becoming the 2nd highest run scorer in T20I history.
- For New Zealand to reclaim their no. 1 ranking, they need to win the remaining two games.
- If India win the 2nd T20I, it will be their 9th win out of their last 10 limited overs bilateral series. The only time they didn’t win was the 1-1 T20I series draw v Australia.
- If Yuzvendra Chahal needs three wickets to become equal highest wicket taker in T20Is in 2017. The way he bowled in Delhi, there is a very good chance he can do it.
- Martin Guptill’s scores this tour: 32, 11, 10, 4. New Zealand need more from him.
Prediction:
India look far more settled and are executing a lot better than New Zealand. For this reason, I can’t see any result other than another India win, and a 2-0 series lead.
