India take on New Zealand in the second T20I of the five-game series between the two teams, in Raipur, on Sunday, January 25. India lead the series thanks to their massive 48-run victory in the first game in Nagpur. The Indian batters, led by Abhishek Sharma’s 84, appeared to be fearless and tucked into every mistake made by the Kiwi bowlers. For India, winning the second game will be crucial since this will give them momentum.
New Zealand made a few mistakes in the first game, such as leaking too many runs inside the power play. They must adapt quickly to the pitch in Raipur and ensure that they do not bowl loose deliveries. The middle overs will be critical for the Kiwis, both while batting and bowling. New Zealand also lost their top-order batters cheaply. If they are to make a fight out of the second game, they will have to be sharper in their decision-making while playing shots.
For India, the key will be held by Sharma, as always, along with Rinku Singh, lower down the order. Ishan Kishan, who was selected on the basis of his performances in the domestic Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for the upcoming T20 World Cup, needs some time to settle in and should be given an extended run at number three. For New Zealand, Glenn Phillips top-scored with 78, but it is high time that the likes of Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell, both of whom are experienced batters, stand up and take more responsibility.
Predicted Teams
IND: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.
NZ: Tim Robinson, Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Kristian Clarke.
Key Players
Abhishek Sharma (IND): Opener Abhishek Sharma is India’s biggest trump card at the top of the order. The southpaw can go berserk right from the beginning and toy with opposition bowling attacks without giving them any respect whatsoever. For Sharma, no boundary is too big, as he has consistently shown. He is also the world’s number one batter in this format of the game currently. The Punjab batter tore into the Kiwi bowlers in the first match of the series with a well-crafted 84, and more of the same can be expected of him. Sharma’s greatest strength lies in not going too close to the ball, and creating room for himself.
James Neesham (NZ): All-rounder James Neesham adds a lot of value to the Kiwis purely with his presence in the squad. He can hit the ball a long way and also bowl decent lines and lengths. Most importantly, Neesham is a very experienced candidate who knows what makes the Indians tick. He has played in the subcontinent in the past and can adapt quickly to these conditions. Neesham has enough experience of playing in the Indian Premier League, too, and this gives him an advantage when compared to the other all-rounders. At 35, Neesham is fit and raring to go in this format.
Match Prediction
India are the favourites. They will host the T20 World Cup a few weeks from now at home, and will only use this series as a tuning event leading up to the main tourney. New Zealand, despite their best intentions, cannot match India, especially in the bowling department. For the home team, the presence of the mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, the world’s number one T20I bowler, alongside the legendary Jasprit Bumrah, is a big advantage.
