Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
The decider, which I must say I didn’t expect before the series began, is here.
Both teams have traded 6-wicket wins in the opening two ODIs, but after seeing how the 2nd ODI panned out, it seems New Zealand are more up against the wall than India.
India’s bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, were irresistible. It was a masterclass in keeping your opposition fighting just to keep their head above water. New Zealand were in recovery mode for nearly the entire 50 overs of their innings, and never looked like threatening with the ball either. India will be looking for more of the same in the deciding ODI.
New Zealand would have rued the fact that eight batsmen reached double figures in the 2nd ODI, but no one made a 50. They need to see this from a positive point of view, believing that this game could be the day they convert their starts, and produce a score that can deliver them a fantastic series win away from home.
Key to an India series win:
India’s bowlers set up the victory in Pune. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was so good that he should have received the Man of the Match award, but that’s a discussion for a different forum, perhaps. He was well supported by all of India’s bowlers, who contributed to restricting New Zealand to just 230/9 on a good batting pitch.
More of the same will be expected, and if they can deliver it, they’ll be on their way to seven straight ODI series victories.
Key to a New Zealand series win
Desperately need more from their top order.
New Zealand’s top order was their strength during a difficult Champions Trophy campaign, but in this series, they’ve been disappointing.
In the 2nd ODI, New Zealand’s middle order was placed under too much pressure, and couldn’t recover well enough to reach a competitive total. New Zealand need more from Kane Williamson, who has picked up two low scores in a row. Martin Guptill and Colin Munro, who has looked all at sea against the slower ball, need to start well at the top.
For New Zealand to win, their top order has to better deal with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah.
Predicted line ups:
India’s combinations worked in the 2nd ODI, including Dinesh Karthik at number 4 and Axar Patel in the bowling line up, who helped keep Tom Latham quiet.
India: 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli (c), 4 Dinesh Karthik, 5 Jedar Yadhav, 6 MS Dhoni (wk), 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal
For New Zealand, they should stick with the same side knowing that lots of their batsmen got starts in previous games, but need to go on this time.
New Zealand: 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Colin Munro, 3 Kane Williamson (c), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Henry Nicholls, 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Adam Milne, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Trent Boult
Stats & Facts:
- Virat Kohli needs just 83 runs to reach 9,000 ODI runs.
- This is the second time in two years that these two teams will be facing off in a decider. India won the previous series.
- Kane Williamson this series: 9 runs, average 4.50, strike rate: 32.14
- India have won six ODI series in a row, and haven’t lost an ODI series at home since 2015.
- New Zealand have never won a deciding ODI match in India – they lost in 1995, 1999 and 2016. Fourth time lucky?
Prediction
A series which many predicted would be 3-0 to India has a decider.
India’s bowlers were too strong in the 2nd ODI, and have settled quite nicely after a 1st up defeat. I believe Virat Kohli will score 83+ to reach 9,000 ODI runs and take India to a 2-1 series win.
Thank you for taking the time to read this piece. Follow CricBlog on
Twitter and
Instagram at @cric_blog and
Subscribe to join the CricBlog family!
