The big picture: will New Zealand’s top five please stand up?
Eighty-six runs in the series opener and just 219 runs in the second game. Even if the total runs scored in the match dropped by almost 70% from the first ODI to the second, the common and worrying theme for New Zealand was how their top five barely featured. Chasing 350 in Hyderabad, their top five scored a total of 101 runs; Batting first in Raipur, he could only manage 11 runs as New Zealand were 15 for 5.
A 3–0 win would take India to the top of the ODI rankings. If India wins 3-0, England will need to beat South Africa by a similar margin in the ODI series starting January 27 to topple India.
form guide
India WWWWW (Last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
new zealand LLWWL
In the spotlight: Suryakumar Yadav and Devon Conway
Suryakumar is on the wishlist of many former players and commentators for the World Cup to be held later this year. But where does that fit in? Once all are available, Virat Kohli comes in at No.3, Iyer at No.4 and Hardik Pandya at No.6, leaving only No.5. Going by current form, he goes to Rahul with the slot-keeping gloves. But Suryakumar’s stupendous form in T20s and even the two Ranji Trophy matches played recently has earned him a few ODIs in the lead up to the big event later this year, but time is running out for him as well. Is. He scored 31 off 26 balls in the first ODI and didn’t come out to bat in the second, and who knows, he might not get another ODI after this series – he will play three matches against Australia in March – before the IPL arrives. first. What can he do in this one game to impress the selectors and team management?
Conway was in fine form in Pakistan before crossing the border. He scored 91 and 122 in Tests, followed by a century and a half-century in ODIs and an average of 51, earning the Player of the Series award. So far on this tour, he has faced just 16 balls in each of the two ODIs during his slump in pace, but will be looking to spend more time in the middle before the teams move to T20Is. In addition to Latham’s experience, Conway is a top-order name New Zealand can look to for both quick runs and stability.
Team News: Will India give Chahal a chance? Will New Zealand make a difference?
After winning the series, India can try some more players on Tuesday. Yuzvendra Chahal, who played just one ODI against Sri Lanka, could come in for Kuldeep Yadav. But it remains to be seen whether India will try out Rajat Patidar or Shahbaz Ahmed, who are hardly in contention for the World Cup, or continue to give playing time to their first-choice players to give them more confidence ahead of the big event Could House. Umran Malik could come in for Mohammed Siraj or Mohammed Shami – replacing Shardul Thakur would leave the batting in tatters – but that would mean opening the bowling with Hardik as Malik usually comes in as first-change.
India (Probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (c), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Ishan Kishan (wk), 5 Suryakumar Yadav, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Washington Sundar, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 and 11: Two of Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik
new zealand (Probable): 1 Finn Allen, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Henry Nicholls/Mark Chapman, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (c & wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Doug Bracewell/Henry Shipley /Jacob Duffy, 10 Blair Tickner, 11 Lockie Ferguson
Pitch and Conditions: Another run-fest in Indore?
What do you expect on a small ground with a quick outfield and possibly a flat pitch? You don’t need to answer. Even after winning the toss and electing to bowl, there will be a possibility of dew after sunset. Ground staff will apply anti-dew spray but this is unlikely to change the decision of the toss.
