IND vs NZ: 2nd ODI Preview – India look to clinch the series
After a thrilling contest at Hyderabad, India and New Zealand will now move to Raipur for the second ODI of the three-match series. The two sides will lock horns on Saturday, January 21st, at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. India, with a 1-0 lead in the series, would be hoping to close the series early, whereas the visitors will be aiming to level it.
The first game kept not just the players, but also the viewers on the edge. After Shubman Gill dominated the first innings with his knock of 208 runs, Michael Bracewell stole the show in the second innings with his century under pressure. But his well-built century went in vain as Indian bowlers managed to restrict the Kiwis in the final over of the game.
As for India, Gill is in great touch with the bat. After notching up a century against Sri Lanka, he continued his form against New Zealand and scored a majority of India’s total with the double century. Virat Kohli too is in good form, but could not make an impact in the previous game. The middle-order batters need to step up and take more responsibility with the bat. On the bowling front, the in-form Mohammed Siraj will be the one to watch out for.
As for the visitors, Michael Bracewell showed great resilience with the bat and the ball. He played the role of an all-rounder with perfection, but the top-order batters need to work their bit in the forthcoming fixture. The middle order looks in good touch, but they will need the openers to build the innings initially so as to channelize on the momentum.
Pitch and conditions
The upcoming fixture between India and New Zealand will the first international game that the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium hosts. The pitch has hosted IPL and CLT20 games, but no international match has been played on this turf.
Venue details: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur
Last ODI match at the venue: N/A
Here’s the probable playing XI for India vs New Zealand clash:
India:
Even without the services of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, India rode on the back of Shubman Gill’s double hundred in the first ga,e. But as the series gets more intense, India cannot risk putting the burden on a single player. The Men in Blue will have to work as a unit going forward. Umran Malik may come in for Shardul Thakur.
New Zealand:
New Zealand are in good form, and looking at how they pulled themselves back into the game in the first ODI, they are unlikely to make any changes to their combination.
