Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
In the space of a week and a half, we are set for the second decider between India and New Zealand. The stage is set for a great match at a brand new venue in Thiruvananthapuram.
Like the ODI series, the team that lost the first game bounced back to win the second. In this case, it was New Zealand, who bounced back from a thrashing in the first game to return the favour to India.
India will be hurting a little after the 2nd T20I, considering they had the opportunity to wrap the series up. It certainly wasn’t a team effort, with only a few players putting in performances of note. The rest of the team must step up.
New Zealand bounced back superbly in the 2nd T20I, courtesy of Colin Munro’s powerful century. Munro was particularly harsh on debutant Mohammed Siraj, who went for 53 in his four overs, and reminded the Indians that they won’t have everything their way in this series. New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Trent Boult, then finished off the job nicely.
There is talk of rain in Thiruvananthapuram. Let’s hope we are not deprived of the second T20I decider in quick succession, after the third game against Australia was washed out recently.
Key to an India win
Need more of a team effort.
In Rajkot, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah Vir,at Kohli and MS Dhoni (despite struggling to really get going) put in performances of note for India.
On the bowling front, more support is required for Kumar and Bumrah, who were both brilliant in a big score of 196 by New Zealand. On the batting front, more is needed from others around Virat Kohli, who almost played a lone hand in the run chase.
India need to put in a better team performance.
 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah need more support |
Key to a New Zealand win
Big performance from the top three.
Martin Guptill and Colin Munro got New Zealand off to a flyer in Rajkot, putting on over 100 for the first wicket. More impact at the top will help New Zealand significantly in the 3rd T20I, too.
New Zealand will want more from Kane Williamson, who has had a quiet tour by his standards. He is a big-game player, and the stage is set for him to lead New Zealand to an upset series win.
 |
| Kane Williamson needs to have a big game |
Which players need to step up?
Will India keep patience with Hardik Pandya? In 23 T20Is, Hardik averages just 9.69 with the bat, and has an economy rate of 8.14 with the ball. No better time than a decider to step up.
For New Zealand, Kane Williamson has had a bit of a quiet tour. Scores of 6, 3, 64, 28 and 12 represents a sub-par tour for someone of his class. His 64, though, was in the deciding 3rd ODI. New Zealand will be hoping for more of the same from their skipper.
Predicted teams:
India have some decisions to make after a tough 2nd T20I. Does Axar Patel get another game? What about Mohammed Siraj? I think Kuldeep Yadav needs to return to the team, with Hardik Pandya as the third seam option.
India possible XI: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Shreyas Iyer, 4. Virat Kohli (c), 5. Hardik Pandya, 6. MS Dhoni (wk), 7. Axar Patel, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Jasprit Bumrah, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal
New Zealand hit a pretty good combination in the 2nd T20I, and will be hoping for more of the same from the top order. Can New Zealand’s middle order step up if needed?
New Zealand possible XI: 1. Colin Munro, 2. Martin Guptill, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Tom Bruce, 5. Glenn Phillips (wk), 6. Henry Nicholls, 7. Colin de Grandhomme, 8. Mitchell Santner, 9. Ish Sodhi, 10. Adam Milne, 11. Trent Boult.
Stats & Facts:
- India have won 8 out of their last 9 limited-overs bilateral series. The only series where they didn’t win was the recent 1-1 T20I series draw v Australia, with the 3rd game washed out.
- New Zealand have won the last 8 T20I series that has been two games or more.
- If New Zealand win this match, they will reclaim their no. 1 T20I ranking.
- New Zealand have never lost a T20I series v India. They hold a 6-1 head-to-head record against them.
- Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar conceded just 26.53% of India’s runs in 40% of the overs in the 2nd T20I (52 runs in 8 overs).
- Jasprit Bumrah’s economy rate of 7.23 in the death overs is the best for fast bowlers who have bowled a minimum of 30 overs between overs 16-20.
——-
Prediction:
Like the 3rd ODI which was a decider, this promises to be a close match.
I believe New Zealand can get the job done this time, and will win by less than 20 runs/2 overs to spare.
