T20 World Cup 2021: Match 28, India vs New Zealand Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

Preview

India and New Zealand are set to lock horns in Match No.28 of the T20 World Cup 2021 on Sunday, October 31 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. The Men in Blue, led by Virat Kohli, are yet to open their account in the mega event, having lost by 10 wickets to Babar Azam’s Pakistan.

India are currently placed fifth in Group 2 above Scotland. The Black Caps, on the other hand, haven’t secured a win as well. Pakistan defeated them by five wickets on Tuesday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. It’s pertinent to note that India have never beaten the Kiwis in the T20 World Cup.

Match Details

Match – India vs New Zealand – Match 28

Venue – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.

Time – 07:30 PM IST, 02:00 PM GMT

Where to watch live – Star Sports Network

Pitch Report

The pitch in Dubai has been a sporting one to play cricket for the time being. The track hasn’t been an absolute belter by any means. Batting second should be the way forward as all the matches have been won by the chasing teams.

Average first innings score: 133 (6 T20Is in Dubai in T20 World Cup 2021)

Record of Chasing teams: Won – 6, Lost – 0, Tied – 0

Probable Playing XIs

India

Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

Bench: Rahul Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan, Ravichandran Ashwin

New Zealand

Martin Guptill/Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Tim Seifert (wk), Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

Bench: Todd Astle, Kyle Jamieson, Mark Chapman/Martin Guptill, Adam Milne

Head-to-head

Overall

Matches- 16, India– 6, New Zealand– 8, Tied- 2

In T20 World Cups

Matches- 2, India– 0, New Zealand– 2, Tied-

Probable best batter of the match

Rohit Sharma (India)

Rohit Sharma is a class act without a shred of a doubt. In the previous game, he failed to open his account after Shaheen Shah Afridi accounted for his wicket with an in-dipper. But against the Black Caps, the Nagpur-born has impressive records. In 13 matches, Rohit has scored 338 runs at an average of 30.72. In the last two games, he got scores of 65 and an unbeaten 60.

Probable best bowler of the match

Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Jasprit Bumrah has been exceptional for India over the last few years regardless of the format he has played in. In 51 T20Is, the speedster has picked up 59 wickets at an economy rate of 6.68. In the previous game against Pakistan, Bumrah failed to pick up a single wicket. But keeping in mind the talent he has, the pacer is expected to make a strong comeback.

Today’s match prediction: The team, batting second to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.