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Imagine losing all three games in which you’ve scored 203, needed 9 off 6 and then 7 off 6.

After their latest Super Over defeat – their fourth in the past seven months – New Zealand may be wondering what they do next. It has raised significant questions as to whether they have the composure to seal the deal, as they risk becoming cricket’s “nearly men”, winning more hearts than they do big games.

India are likely to experiment further as they aim for a 5-0 clean sweep. If achieved, it will possibly be considered the least-dominant 5-0 series win in any format, ever. But, apart from key fielding issues, Virat Kohli’s men won’t mind too much, as the winning habit in a World T20 year is one to get used to.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Colin Munro became the first player to pass 400 runs in New Zealand-India T20Is. He averages 41.00 with a SR of 146.78.
• Munro is second with 163 runs in this series. In even better news for NZ, Munro has two hundreds and a half-century in five innings at Mount Maunganui, with an average of 61.40 and SR of 193.
• Tim Seifert is clearly a top order player in T20Is. His 57 (39) swung the game in New Zealand’s favour in Wellington.
• Martin Guptill’s 98 runs in four innings this series has been disappointing. However, he enjoys playing at this ground: 4 matches, 182 runs, avg. 45.50, SR: 152.94, 3 fifties.
• KL Rahul has had a fine series. He currently leads the run-scoring list with 179, with two fifties in four innings. Also, KL’s lowest score is 27 in his last seven innings (369 runs, avg. 61.50).
• It is likely one of Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma will be rested for this match. Both Kohli and Rohit have had excellent moments this series, despite not being at their best for the most part.
• Also, Kane Williamson could be rested further to aid his shoulder complaint. If he does play, he will be one to watch (as always), with 95 in 3rd T20I + 170 runs in six innings (avg. 34.00) at his home ground.
• India may rotate their bowlers as well, but if Shardul Thakur plays, he will have the chance to build on his man-of-the-match effort in Wellington.
• Hamish Bennett has been very expensive this series (econ. 10.66), but has five wickets in his last two games.
• Keep an eye out for who plays between Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. New Zealand could look to go hard in the middle overs, which can create wicket-taking opportunities.
• Ish Sodhi has the equal-most wickets this series (6) and in T20Is at Mount Maunganui (10).

Other Key Stats

• India had won one of five T20Is in New Zealand before this series. Now, they have won four straight.
• The team batting first has won each of the five completed games on this ground.
• The average first innings score in completed T20Is at the Bay Oval is 199.
• New Zealand have won four of five T20Is at Bay Oval.

Key to a New Zealand win

It has been some series for New Zealand. If they start well, then their finish isn’t great. The opposite applies if they start poorly, with their recovery efforts strong. However, the lack of calmness and composure has been remarkable in this series. To win here (and avoid more memes), they must hold their own in the crunch stages.

Also, can the Black Caps take regular wickets as they did in Wellington? India could look at resting key players again, so putting pressure on their middle order as soon as possible will be the order of the day.

Key to an India win

Despite their fielding, which remains a key issue, India have found ways to come out on top multiple times in this series. If they can take their chances and save more runs in the field, they have the opportunity to build pressure on a New Zealand side that has seemingly forgotten how to win.

Also, this is a great opportunity for the likes of Sanju Samson, Manish Pandey and possibly Rishabh Pant. Whoever gets the nod for the top six need to take this opportunity with both hands, as the pressure of a series is not relevant here.

Possible Playing 11

Along with Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill is in doubt after colliding with Scott Kuggeleijn in the field during the 4th T20I.

New Zealand: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Colin Munro, 3. Tim Seifert (wk), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Tom Bruce, 6. Daryl Mitchell, 7. Mitchell Santner, 8. Scott Kuggleijn, 9. Tim Southee, 10. Ish Sodhi, 11. Hamish Bennett

According to ESPNCricinfo, Virat Kohli could be rested for India, with Rohit to lead the team. Also, Rishabh Pant could get a chance to play if India decide to rest KL Rahul.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. KL Rahul (wk), 3. Sanju Samson, 4. Shreyas Iyer, 5. Manish Pandey, 6. Shivam Dube, 7. Washington Sundar, 8. Shardul Thakur, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Navdeep Saini, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Mount Maunganui Pitch Report and Conditions

As mentioned, the average first innings score in completed T20Is on this ground is 199. Also, the pitch for the New Zealand-England Test late last year was flat, part of the tradition of this being a good batting ground.

The forecast for Mount Maunganui is 28 degrees and mostly sunny.

Dream11 Prediction

*Keep an eye out for final team lists.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Dream11 and Fantasy Cricket content for you to enjoy on CricBlog:

• MyClubtap: Fantasy Cricket for your own club or league
• 6 tips to increase chances of winning in Dream11
• MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which is better for you?
• Pros and cons of Dream11’s deadline decision

Match Prediction

This one could ultimately depend on what mood New Zealand are in when it comes to the crunch stages.

India, with their winning habit, could come out on top in a close match again.

Thanks for reading!

NZ vs IND 4th T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | NZ vs IND 4th T20 Dream11 | New Zealand vs India 4th T20I Preview Dream11 | NZ vs IND 4th T20I Dream11 Prediction Today

India created history after winning an absolute rollercoaster of a game in a Super Over. In the process, they managed to win a T20I series for the first time in New Zealand.

Mohammed Shami and Rohit Sharma starred for the visitors, while Kane Williamson was, again, at the receiving end of heartbreak. His superb 95 and New Zealand’s 17 in the Super Over were not enough to keep them alive in the series, as they now look to avoid a 4-0 deficit.

Now, the caravan moves to Wellington for the 4th T20I of the five-match series. Can New Zealand pick up their first win?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• KL Rahul is in the form of his life. He is the highest scorer for India in this series with 140 runs from three games at an average of 70.
• Rohit Sharma finally hit form as he scored 65 off 40 and hit two consecutive sixes in the Super Over to steal the game for his team.
• Virat Kohli hasn’t had a great series according to his reputation and he’ll like to score big in this match.
• Shreyas Iyer has been the X-factor for India in the middle overs. He has scored 119 runs in the series – second highest for India.
• Kane Williamson showed his class in the last game, scoring 95 off just 48 balls, nearly taking his side over the line. He got the better of Bumrah, which is difficult to achieve.
• Ravindra Jadeja is the joint highest wicket-taker of the series with Shardul Thakur (four wickets each).
• India lost by a big 80 runs when they last played in Wellington. Tim Seifert was man of the match (however, he was opening).
• Santner and Sodhi took four wickets between them in that match. Tim Southee took a 3-for.

Other Key Points

• Teams chasing (6) have won more than teams batting first (5) on this ground.
• Spinners & slow bowlers tend to get a little more assistance on this wicket.
• Average first innings score at Wellington is 170+, so we can expect another high scoring encounter.

Key to an India Win

The Indian batting has been phenomenal till now, but the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will want some more runs under their belt. They’ll also want to improve their fielding under the lights too. Also, Jasprit Bumrah had a rare off-day and he’ll surely want to come back stronger, should India select him.

Key to a New Zealand Win

The Kiwis have nothing to lose and will play for pride in the remaining two matches. The top order is performing well but they’ll want some bigger scores from the openers.

There is a case that Ross Taylor is being wasted down the order. So, could New Zealand move him to four to hold things together, while scoring quickly? Also, Tim Seifert has to step-up and finish the innings as New Zealand would like, to justify their decision to have him down the order.

Possible Playing 11

India is expected to make few changes in the squad, as Virat said in the post-match interview. They might give a chance to Samson, Saini & Pant. Bumrah might be rested.

India: 1. KL Rahul (wk), 2. Rohit Sharma, 3. Virat Kohli (c) 4. Shreyas Iyer 5. Manish Pandey/Sanju Samson 6. Shivam Dube/Rishabh Pant 7. Ravindra Jadeja 8. Shardul Thakur 9. Mohammed Shami 10. Jasprit Bumrah/ Navdeep Saini 11. Yuzvendra Chahal

Tom Bruce is expected to replace the struggling Colin deGrandhomme.

New Zealand: 1. Colin Munro, 2. Martin Guptill, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Tim Seifert (wk) 6. Tom Bruce 7. Mitchell Santner, 8.Scott Kuggeleijn 9. Tim Southee 10. Ish Sodhi 11. Hamish Benett

Pitch Report and Conditions

The Westpac Stadium is another typical Kiwi ground with not so big boundaries and a belter of a wicket. Fast Bowlers who hit the deck hard are useful while spinners and bowlers with variations have had success in the latter half of the game.

Some cloud cover is forecast for this clash, but minimal/no rain is expected.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Dream11 and Fantasy Cricket content for you to enjoy on CricBlog:

• MyClubtap: Fantasy Cricket for your own club or league
• 6 tips to increase chances of winning in Dream11
• MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which is better for you?
• Pros and cons of Dream11’s deadline decision

Match Prediction

Is this the game New Zealand get over the line, particularly given India will rest a few players?

They are due, and this could be the game.

Thanks for reading!

NZ vs IND 3rd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | NZ vs IND 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction | New Zealand vs India 3rd T20I Preview Dream11 Prediction | NZ vs IND 3rd T20I Dream11 Prediction Today

The context ahead of the series was this: A number of New Zealand’s players were playing at home in the T20 Super Smash; excellent preparation for this series. India, on the other hand, had completed their ODI series against Australia on Sunday the 19th, before hopping on a plane on the 21st, with the first T20I on the 24th.

When you couple this with India’s T20I record in New Zealand before the series (one win in five matches), their 2-0 series lead looks all-the-more impressive. Their bowling performance in the second T20I, where they restricted New Zealand to just 132, was superb, and now have the chance to seal the series at a ground they lost narrowly at last year.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• KL Rahul can do it all at the moment. He has done well with the gloves, which is second-fiddle to his fine white-ball batting.
• He has struck two half centuries in this series, including one unbeaten. This is to go with his 45 and 54 vs SL + ODI runs vs Australia, earlier this month.
• Rohit Sharma doesn’t usually fail three times in a row in a series. Is this the match he fires in?
• Virat Kohli has looked in good touch this series, despite being strangled down the legside last game. Also, his energetic fielding always keeps him in the game.
• But, it was India’s bowlers who set up the last match. Ravindra Jadeja has taken 1/18 and 2/18 this series, with the latter spell a special one due to no boundaries being conceded on the small Eden Park ground.
• New Zealand failed to score a boundary between overs 10-15 in the second T20I. So, Colin de Grandhomme, with scores of 0 and 3, has to step up.
• But, before that, at least one of Colin Munro or Martin Guptill needs to go big.
• Munro is the only player to score 300+ runs in NZ-India T20Is. His average (41.62) and SR (153.45) are impressive numbers. Also, he was Player of the Match on this ground vs India last year.
• Guptill is the leading run-scorer at Seddon Park with 287 in six matches (avg. 71.75, SR: 144.22).
• Kane Williamson also goes well at Seddon Park: 155 runs, avg. 77.50, SR: 144.85. Can he and Ross Taylor fire like they did in match one?
• Shivam Dube is enjoying a solid series with the ball so far, supporting the frontline bowlers well (one wicket in each match).
• Could India look at recalling Kuldeep Yadav? He took 2/26 on this ground last year.
• Ish Sodhi is the leading wicket-taker in NZ-India T20Is. He has taken three this series so far, taking his tally to 14. Mitchell Santner (10) and Tim Southee (9) are next.
• Jasprit Bumrah has been superb this series. The value he provides for India goes beyond just his wickets, but also his economy rate in the powerplay and death overs. Is he due for a big haul?

Other Key Points

• Teams batting first have won the last four T20 matches at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
• India have now won three of seven T20Is in New Zealand. They have never won a T20I series on NZ soil, so here is their chance.
• New Zealand have won seven of nine T20Is at Seddon Park.

Possible Playing 11

It is possible that Scott Kuggeleijn could come in for New Zealand.

New Zealand: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Colin Munro, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Colin de Grandhomme, 5. Ross Taylor, 6. Tim Seifert (wk), 7. Mitchell Santner, 8. Ish Sodhi, 9. Tim Southee, 10. Blair Tickner/Scott Kuggeleijn, 11. Hamish Bennett

Shreyas Iyer was struggling with a knee injury in the last game, but was able to bat. Again, the change India could make is Navdeep Saini for Shardul Thakur.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. KL Rahul (wk), 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. Shreyas Iyer, 5. Manish Pandey, 6. Shivam Dube, 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Shardul Thakur/Navdeep Saini, 9. Yuzvendra Chahal, 10. Mohammed Shami, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Seddon Park Hamilton Pitch Report and Conditions

There have been nine scores of 185+ in nine T20Is at Seddon Park. Last year, these two teams played out a 212 vs 208 match. This ground is typically a belter for batting.

There is a slight chance of a shower in the evening in Hamilton.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Dream11 and Fantasy Cricket content for you to enjoy on CricBlog:

• MyClubtap: Fantasy Cricket for your own club or league
• 6 tips to increase chances of winning in Dream11
• MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which is better for you?
• Pros and cons of Dream11’s deadline decision

Match Prediction

This has a lot of similarities to India’s 4-1 ODI series win in New Zealand last year. The Indian top order and bowlers are doing well, which gives their fans and all associated every reason to be confident once again.

Thanks for reading!