T20 WC 2021 Match 28: IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Today | India vs New Zealand Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report

How’s this for pressure? India and New Zealand, in just their second match each, face almost a must-win game to keep their Semi Final hopes intact.

New Zealand, who always seem to punch above their weight in World Cups, will be aiming to keep that trend going. India were the favourites heading into the tournament, and the expectations from their fans can be too much to handle if the players aren’t switched on.

It seems an age since the Indians last played, and have had a full week to prepare for this encounter after a thumping defeat at the hands of Pakistan. An excellent little rivalry is bubbling away against the Black Caps, with close T20Is, a World Test Championship Final and 2019 World Cup Semi Final among the high-profile matches between the teams in recent years.

So, who will handle the pressure better in this crucial, high-profile clash?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

India:

• KL Rahul will be key to India’s hopes. The right-hander had a brilliant IPL (626 runs, avg. 62.60, SR 138.80), finishing with a thumping 98* off 42 balls vs CSK on this ground. He has scored a total of 609 runs at Dubai at an average of 60.90 and strike rate of 143.97.
• Rahul also has a fine T20I record vs New Zealand. KL struck 224 runs against them in five matches in their 2020 tour at an average of 56.00 and strike rate of 144.52.
• Rohit Sharma has scored the most runs of any India player against New Zealand in T20Is (303). These runs come at an average of 30.73 and strike rate of 137.96 in 13 matches.
• Rohit’s battle with left-armer Trent Boult will be key. Boult has dismissed Rohit three times in 24 deliveries in T20 cricket, for just 29 runs.
• Virat Kohli has scored 302 runs against New Zealand at an average of 37.75 and strike rate of 145.89. The skipper was India’s top-scorer against Pakistan, striking 57 after a terrible start for his team.
• Virat has a similar record at Dubai. He has scored 385 runs in 13 matches at an average of 32.08 and strike rate of 121.07.
• Jasprit Bumrah will be key in making inroads into the New Zealand team. No Indian pacer has more T20I wickets against NZ than Bumrah (10), achieved at an average of 21.30 and economy rate of 6.26.
• India to play Shardul Thakur? He is coming off a brilliant UAE leg of IPL 2021, where he played a key role in CSK’s triumph. He took the equal third-most wickets in the tournament (21), including 15 scalps in his last eight games. He also has taken 15 wickets in nine T20s at Dubai.

New Zealand:

• Can Kane Williamson cause more hurt for India in an ICC tournament? The NZ skipper has scored 325 runs in 11 matches vs India at an average of 29.55 and strike rate of 135.98.
• Williamson has a solid record at Dubai, with 343 runs in 12 matches at an average of 42.88 and strike rate of 124.28. This is a huge game for the NZ captain.
• New Zealand batted Devon Conway down at five against Pakistan. They will be better served batting him up the order. He averages 72.66 in five innings batting at three (218 runs) and 72.33 batting at four (217 runs).
• Tim Seifert can be New Zealand’s X-Factor today. He has a brilliant record against India, smashing 280 runs in eight matches against them at an average of 46.67 and strike rate of 156.42.
• Ish Sodhi has taken the most wickets of any bowler in IND-NZ matches (12 matches, 17 wickets, avg. 19.06, econ. 7.53). He produced a solid display against Pakistan, taking 2/28 (dismissed Rizwan and Zaman).
• Mitchell Santner has enjoyed past success against India. The left-arm spinner has taken 12 wickets in as many matches at an average of 27.33 and economy rate of 7.63.
• Can Trent Boult do something similar to what Shaheen Shah Afridi did to India’s top order on this ground? Boult has taken six wickets in three matches vs India at an average of 16.00 and economy rate of 9.60.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 17, India 8, New Zealand 8, N/R 1.
• India have lost all nine T20Is since 2018 where they had to defend below 160.
• Can Martin Guptill improve on a poor record vs India? The opener has scored 208 runs in 12 matches at an average of just 17.33.
• Tim Southee is one of four bowlers to have at least 100 T20I wickets. However, he has historically struggled against India in this format with 10 scalps in 12 matches at an average of 42.00 and economy rate of 9.23.
• Rishabh Pant at Dubai: 13 inns, 385 runs, avg. 38.50, SR 123.79.
• Ravindra Jadeja has struck 459 runs in IPL since the beginning of 2020 at an incredible average of 57.38 and strike rate of 157.37.

Possible Playing 11

Hardik Pandya was bowling in the nets on match eve. He is a chance of bowling in this match, which gives India that all important sixth bowling option. Also, India could look at playing Shardul Thakur.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. KL Rahul, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. Suryakumar Yadav, 5. Rishabh Pant (wk), 6. Hardik Pandya, 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Shardul Thakur/Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Varun Chakravarthy, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Martin Guptill is expected to be fit for this match. Also, Adam Milne could come in for Tim Southee.

New Zealand: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Daryl Mitchell, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Devon Conway, 5. Glenn Phillips, 6. James Neesham, 7. Tim Seifert (wk), 8. Mitchell Santner, 9. Tim Southee/Adam Milne, 10. Ish Sodhi, 11. Trent Boult

Dubai Pitch Report and Weather

The chasing team has won 14 of the last 18 matches on this ground. England smashed Australia yesterday, chasing the target of 125 with absolute ease.

Expect the captain who wins the toss to choose to chase. Some dew is expected.

Dream11 Prediction

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Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

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Base team:

• Wicket-keepers: Rishabh Pant, Devon Conway
• Batsmen: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Kane Williamson
• All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja
• Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Trent Boult

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Match Prediction

High pressure in a high stakes game. Expecting the chasing team to win this as the team batting first will need at least 170-180 to feel a good chance of winning.