T20 World Cup 2021: Match 28 – India vs New Zealand Match Preview, Playing XI and broadcast details
Both teams are coming after a loss against Pakistan in their respective tournament openers.
It’s strange what a solitary loss could do in multi-team tournaments like the World Cup. Having lost their respective tournament openers, suddenly India and New Zealand no longer look the firm Group B favourites they seemingly looked before the commencement of Super12s, even though it is one of these teams that will most likely make further in the tournament.
India had no answers to the clinical belligerence of the Babar Azam-Mohammad Rizwan duo that scripted a historic 10-wicket victory, leaving Virat Kohli and Co. with plenty of soul-searching to do. New Zealand, on the other hand, were on the receiving end of a spirited lower-order attack orchestrated by Asif Ali and Shoaib Malik, who ensured to avoid a mishap even though Kane Williamson’s men managed to keep things under control for a considerable part of the game.
As if the Sunday clash had anything not momentous about it, the blistering Pakistan blows have made this fixture assume greater significance for both teams, with the fate of this group reliant to a great extent on this result.
Keeping the odd possibility of an upset aside, both India and New Zealand would count four points waiting for them in their fixtures against Scotland and Namibia. If Afghanistan fails to beat India and New Zealand, the winner of tomorrow’s game will be the one that qualifies alongside Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s back-to-back wins bode well for both India and New Zealand, with the fight for the second spot staying a two-team battle and not three (or more).
That aside, a loss for either of the two teams will complicate things to the extent they would not want, and getting back on track is the need of the hour, not least because of Afghanistan’s unpredictability who managed to challenge the cruising Pakistan more than either of these two teams did in their respective encounters.
Both sides would be keen to infuse momentum in their campaign, but India, coming after an unusual week-long break that skipper Kohli termed as a much-needed one, would want to be wary of New Zealand, who have had the woods over them in big ICC tournaments – India’s last victory against New Zealand in the World Cups dates back to 2003 ODI World Cup.
Ever since they have lost thrice to them in 20-over and 50-over tournaments combined, including the agonizing 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final defeat. If settling scores is the agenda, India also have the inaugural World Test Championship final loss from earlier this year to avenge.
Pitch and conditions
Chasers dominate the proceedings in Dubai to an absurd extent: only four targets being successfully defended at the venue in 18 encounters this year including the recently-concluded 2021 IPL. In the ongoing tournament, no team batting first has won. Expect the ‘win the toss, win the match’ trend to continue.
Playing combination for IND vs NZ
India
Despite his scintillating form, Ishan Kishan is unlikely to come in. Would you drop Rohit Sharma? Does not matter whether you would, because Kohli won’t.
Rising fuel prices and Hardik Pandya’s non-bowling have been the hottest topic of discussion in India recently. Pandya, who admitted he would bowl closer to the knockouts, was spotted bowling in the build-up to this game. On the match-eve, Kohli confirmed he would be available after his shoulder scans – he was hit against Pakistan – revealed nothing.
Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand
New Zealand no longer have the services of Lockie Ferguson, ruled out with a calf injury. His replacement Adam Milne has received ICC approval and will therefore be available. It remains to be seen, however, if New Zealand slot him in. Martin Guptill, who took a blow on his toe and did not field against Pakistan, has recovered completely.
Predicted XI: Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (c), James Neesham, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert (wk), Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult
IND vs NZ 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 – 0
IND vs NZ Broadcast Details
Match Timings – 07:30 PM IST
TV – Star Sports Network
Live Streaming – Disney+Hotstar
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