India v New Zealand, 2nd T20I – Match Result Predictions

It was as dominating a victory as it can ever get in Delhi as India defeated New Zealand in what was the last game of Ashish Nehra‘s career. The hosts sent him off with the perfect win to gain a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. After a spirited effort in the ODI series, the visitors didn’t repeat the competitiveness in the shortest format of the game.

Now the actions shifts to Rajkot where the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium will host the second T20I. The history suggests that the strip in Rajkot produces heaps of runs. The last T20I was played at the venue in 2013 between India and Australia where the men in blue managed to chase down a massive target of 202.

Expect nothing different from this game as the two sides are filled with a lot of T20 specialists. Where India overpowered the Kiwis with the might in batting and the score of 202 proved to be too good, the Black Caps are known for their fighting spirit and will certainly come out a lot harder.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: India wins the toss

Toss Prediction: India will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 190-200

Result prediction: New Zealand will win the match by 5-15 runs

Scenario 2: New Zealand wins the toss

Toss Prediction: New Zealand will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 180-190

Result prediction: New Zealand will win the match by 5 wickets

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 6, India Won – 1, New Zealand Won – 5, No Result/Tied – 0

Matches in India: Total Matches – 3, India Won – 1, New Zealand Won– 2, No Result/Tied – 0

New Zealand were unbeaten against India in T20Is before the match in Delhi as they had emerged victorious on all 5 previous occasions. The loss in the first game not only broke their unbeaten streak but also cost them the pole position in the ICC rankings as they slipped to the No.2 position. The Kane Williamson-led side would be itching to get back to winning ways and stay alive in the series.

Playing Combinations

India

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma were on a roll in the last game as each of them scored 80 runs to set the platform for a massive score. Hardik Pandya was sent to No.3 to up the ante but he fell without scoring. Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni provided the finishing touch to propel the side to a big score. Shreyas Iyer, who made his debut in the first T20I, would want to make an impact to mark his presence.

Indian new ball bowlers were terrific once again. Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed the dangerous Colin Munro early that put the team under pressure. The spinners were magnificent as Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel bagged 2 wickets apiece without conceding too many. The departure of Nehra could well give Mohammed Siraj his first game for India.

Predicted XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Dinesh Karthik, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

New Zealand

Martin Guptill’s awful run on the tour continued as he fell early again while Munro, who had done well in the ODIs, suffered a failure at Kotla. Kane Williamson and Tom Latham batted decently but the scoreboard pressure got to them. There was a very little contribution from others. Colin de Grandhomme has been highly ineffective so far which could well have to give up his place for Glenn Phillips.

Trent Boult, after doing well in the first 2 ODIS, has been under the radar of the Indian batsmen since. Tim Southee too has found it difficult to stop the runs as well as pick up wickets. The bright spot for New Zealand though was the performance of the 2 spinners. Where Ish Sodhi bagged 2 wickets for 25 runs, Mitchell Santner gave away just 30 runs from 4 overs in a high scoring encounter.

Predicted XI:  Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (C), Tom Latham (wk), Henry Nicholls, Tom Bruce, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi

Although the Indian side looks star-studded and is in a great form yet one can expect New Zealand to bounce back. This game can go right down to the wire with the Kiwis fighting on till the end to stay alive.

The prediction is for a comeback by New Zealand to level the series 1-1.

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.