IND v NZL, 3rd ODI Preview: Undefeated streak on the line as India combat the Kiwis in a do-or-die game

After managing to stay undefeated in all the series played in 2017, India will be playing their first do-or-die encounter after the Champions Trophy final. New Zealand entered the sub-continent well prepared, as they always do and posed a serious challenge. The first ODI was a reality check that the Kiwis are as good as the Indians and this series cannot be taken for granted.

Neither of these sides have been abysmal by any stretch of the imagination, which makes the series all the more interesting. After posting 280 odd runs in the first ODI on a track troubling the batsmen, a comprehensive batting performance from Tom Latham and Ross Taylor averted a well-deserved win for India. In the second, though they had just 230 runs to defend, the blackcaps made the hosts work hard.

With form on their side, India will be the favorites to go all the way again. But to disregard this New Zealand side is digging your own grave. Williamson will be right there with Kohli as far as the mind games are concerned and there’ll be no bars holding the intensity. Kanpur will play host to this juicy encounter and the Sunday will only get more entertaining.

Toss: New Zealand won the toss and opted to field

Virat Kohli: It looks a good wicket. We would have been okay with batting or bowling first but keeping the dew in mind, maybe batting second was better. Irrespective of what we do first, we need to do it well. A few guys wanted to have some rest while some wanted to iron it out in the nets. It’s been a hectic season so far but there is nothing more motivating than playing in a decider. New Zealand have always been competitive with us, they aren’t loud and don’t do annoying things but the intensity never dips on the field. Many teams can learn from them. (On the XI) We are playing the same team.

Kane Williamson: We are going to have a bowl. Certainly, more grass than we saw earlier. Don’t think it will seam as much but still, there should be some help and then dew later on in the game. Whatever we do here, the wickets tend to be generally good surfaces and the team that plays the better cricket wins. It is a great opportunity for us and we want to enjoy it out there. (On any changes) Same team.

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni(w), Kedar Jadhav, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal

New Zealand (Playing XI): Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham(w), Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

Focus will be on

Dinesh Karthik (India)

Though he was performing well in First-Class and List-A cricket, Dinesh Karthik‘s selection puzzled quite a few people. He nevertheless shut the mouths of all the people who doubted his ability with two decent performances. India’s number 4 woes might soon come to an end with Karthik performing this way and this can do a world of good for his ambitions to book a seat in the World Cup 2019 squad.

Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

The visitors’ skipper Williamson has been a little out of touch lately, but his brain has been working wonders this series. Beginning with the decision to play 3 seamers in the first ODI to sending Tom Latham at number 5, his tactical analysis seems to be spot on. Yet, him not being amongst the runs will be quite a loophole and definitely, this is a short-term thing. The 27-year-old’s record against India has been decent and he will try to end this series on a positive note, hopefully by winning the series.

Playing combinations

India

Shikhar Dhawan fired in a crucial half-century and he will be accompanied by Rohit Sharma at the top. Kohli will be coming in at 3 as always, with Dinesh Karthik (Probably) coming in at number 4. MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel will be forming the lower middle.

Axar Patel might keep his place after his exploits in the previous game, forming a duo with Yuzvendra Chahal. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar firing on all cylinders, his fast bowling pair with Bumrah seems too formidable to break down. Hardik Pandya and Kedar Jadhav have been doing an outstanding job whenever they are called upon.

New Zealand

The incredibly aggressive duo of Martin Guptill and Colin Munro will be opening the innings with skipper Kane Williamson coming in at number 3. Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, and Mitchell Santner will be forming the middle order and this lineup can cause a lot of problems against any side.

Trent Boult has been terrific thus far and he will be sharing the new ball with his senior companion Tim Southee. Adam Milne, Colin de Grandhomme, and Colin Munro will be the other seam bowling options for Williamson, with Santner being the lone spinner.

StatAttack

1 – If New Zealand wins the final ODI, it’ll be their first bilateral series win against India in India.

1 – Jasprit Bumrah needs another wicket to complete 50 ODI scalps.

83 – Kohli needs another 83 runs to complete 9,000 ODI runs.