India and New Zealand meet in the final T20I of their ongoing series at the Greenfield International Stadium in Trivandrum on Saturday, January 31. India lead the series 3-1 with victories in the first three games, but New Zealand pulled one back in the fourth in Visakhapatnam. With the T20 World Cup slated to start soon, India are keen on experimenting with their squad and giving the youngsters an opportunity to stake their claim in the playing XI.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav has led the side well and given every player clarity regarding his role. Although opener Abhishek Sharma got out off the first ball in Vizag, the others in the squad were able to rally around him and try to chase the Kiwi target down. They were unsuccessful in doing so, but lower-order batter Shivam Dube showcased his class with a 23-ball 65, hitting seven sixes. India will have to do slightly better in their middle overs, especially with regard to strike rotation.
For New Zealand, this game will be crucial when it comes to pride. Although they have already lost the series, they will be keen on not allowing the Indians to win four matches. The Kiwis know that if their top-order batters set up a good platform, their middle order can fire in tandem. Most importantly, their bowlers seem to have adjusted well to these conditions and have found the right lengths to bowl to the Indian batters. Spin bowling has worked well for the Kiwis so far in this series.
Predicted Teams
IND: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.
NZ: Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Seifert (w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi.
Key Players
Jasprit Bumrah (IND): Seamer Jasprit Bumrah has the ability to turn the game around at any point in time, and he will be entrusted with the responsibility of doing so in Trivandrum. He has become skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s most trusted lieutenant on the field, partly due to the experience both of them share. Bumrah’s yorkers are searing, and his ability to get the ball to skid after pitching makes him such a deadly customer to handle.
Daryl Mitchell (NZ): In-form Daryl Mitchell stood tall in the ODIs that preceded this T20I series, and the Kiwis would love for him to take up some responsibility in this format as well. Mitchell is an experienced customer and can handle pressure well. While he can play the anchor’s role comfortably by rotating the strike, Mitchell can also hit the ball a long way and make use of the fielding restrictions inside the first six overs of the innings.
Match Prediction
India are the favourites to win this match. They have been in complete control throughout the series, and should be able to wrap this one up comfortably as well. The loss in the fourth T20I was a minor hiccup. The home team, besides knowing these conditions, have a balanced outfit in which all sections of the game are covered. Even if India flex their bench strength in this outing, they have the right mix of youth and experience in their lineup, whereas New Zealand do not.
