India will be hoping for more runs from their middle order and a better performance from the bowlers in the death overs in the second ODI against New Zealand on Saturday. The city is hosting an international cricket match for the first time and more than 60,000 spectators are expected to turn up at the stadium to cheer the hosts.
New Zealand’s team chasing a target of 350 runs, despite losing six wickets for 131 runs in the first match, managed to score 206 more runs, which will be a cause of concern for India. The visiting team came back close to register an emphatic win but Mohammad Siraj played an important role in giving India a win by bowling brilliantly.
Shubman Gill continued his impressive run with the bat, scoring a double hundred and single-handedly taking India to a strong total. Hardik Pandya, who has failed to perform effectively in the recent past, will be expected to score runs in the last over of the innings.
Wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan, who has found a place in the middle order after scoring a double century against Bangladesh, will be looking to make the most of the opportunity this time around after failing in the first ODI in Hyderabad. Captain Rohit Sharma is looking in good touch and has got good starts but has failed to play big innings. He would also like to play a big innings.
Bowling attack needs to be strengthened
However, the bigger concern lies in the bowling department. On Wednesday, Michael Bracewell single-handedly brought New Zealand close to victory. In the first ODI, India had given Shardul Thakur a chance in place of stormy bowler Umran Malik, as he is a better option in batting. But the management will soon have to decide whether it needs a bowler who can bat or a specialist bowler who can destroy the opposition with his extra pace and also take wickets in the middle overs.
Siraj has impressed with his bowling. Mohammed Shami bowled brilliantly with the new ball but Bracewell easily scored runs against him. Hardik also proved to be very expensive. It was a forgettable match for Washington Sundar in the spin department while Kuldeep Yadav bowled effectively. The team also has the option of playing Kuldeep and Yuzvendra Chahal together, but right now it is preferred to play one wrist spinner and one finger spinner.
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IND vs NZ: Who will get a chance between Thakur and Umran, players will be tested, know the coach before the second match
New Zealand showed the spirit of victory
New Zealand’s never-say-die spirit was shown in the first match of the series and this would have boosted the morale of the team. It doesn’t happen regularly that Bracewell, who came in at number seven, and Mitchell Santner, who came in at number eight, bring the team back from the brink of defeat.
Finn Allen played some good shots but could not play a big innings. In the absence of Kane Williamson, the team needs a player who can hold one end. Gill scored runs easily against the pace trio of Henry Shipley, Lockie Ferguson and Blair Tickner and all three would like to bring more accuracy to their bowling. It remains to be seen whether spinner Ish Sodhi regains full fitness for this do-or-die encounter. Time: The match will start at 1.30 pm.
Teams are as follows:
India: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KS Bharat, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik.
New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Finn Allen, Doug Bracewell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner .
(agency input)