The loss for India is unimaginable. Even the mere notion of it is blasphemy. That’s the way to negativity and waste and slander and an early exit. In his case, desperation can fuel excellence. For the kiwi, it’s easy to stay calm, away from the normal pressure of a million trolls for your blood. For them, frustration can fuel innovation.
Both teams are smart from defeat, with their T20 moves not coming out at all. New Zealand tried to tick all the boxes against Pakistan and came up short, whether opening or playing Daryl Mitchell James Neesham at number 4 ish sodhiThe leg-break was probably the only high point. India’s bowlers failed to pick up wickets and their new-ball pace pair was lackluster.
His opener failed to match Shaheen Afridi’s inswing, and now Trent Boult is lying in wait. His finishers failed to advance. His spinners were battling with dew. both captains, Virat Kohli And Kane Williamson, was likewise guilty of taking an overly cautious approach in trying to play the role of T20 anchor. Williamson went on to score 134/8 in Sharjah at a strike rate of 96.15. Kohli, who scored a half-century in Dubai, went on to score 116.33 in a total of 151/7.
Importantly, both the teams lost the toss and were forced to bat first. In a tournament in which 17 out of 24 games (before the SL-SA tie) were won by the chasing team, 12 of these by the team fielding first after winning the toss, this is a no-brainer: the first such innings was late in the evening. If there is dew, the total may prove to be less. Strike rotation, maybe even some lusty hitting, is important in the middle overs when setting targets, but is not easy on these pitches.
So how do teams buck this trend after losing the toss and being forced to bat first? Kohli suggested that the goal should be to make big totals while placing the responsibility on the batsmen. “The toss will continue to be a big factor. Either you can bank a lot on the toss or you can challenge yourself as a team. Those 15-20 extra runs (while batting first) can make a big difference. Huh.”
Presenting the bowlers’ point of view on the issue of dew, Kiwi pacer Boult said a lot in different words. “It’s tough. It’s hard to understand how much dew can come. You have to take your time and get a good grip on the ball and be as accurate as possible.”
Both teams have identified change in approach, rather than knee-jerk changes of personnel, as the need of the hour, may not have resulted in too many cuts and changes.
for New Zealand, Martin Guptill Fits and is expected to open. Adam Milne also available. For India, Hardik Pandya’s (in)all-around ability to bowl culminated in a few nets sessions with the all-rounder swinging his hand. It will mean less of a headache for the team management on Sunday, but it is important that Pandya finds his form with the bat first, especially with the explosives. Ishaan Kishan sit outside.
India may also have a case to rest Bhuvneshwar and bring in Shardul Thakur Sunil Gavaskar But is Thakur’s economy rate of 9.11 good enough from 22 T20Is?
India has not beaten New Zealand in any format of the World Cup in 18 years. There is no better time than now to break that heavy haul: India have won their last five T20Is against the Kiwis, though they have lost both matches in the T20 World Cup (in 2007 and 2016). Law of Averages, Where Are You?
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