IND v NZ, 4th ODI Preview: Resilient New Zealand aim to square the series

New Zealand will enter the fourth ODI at Ranchi with a specific plan in mind. To claim a win, however, will be a massive bridge for them to cross especially given the transpiration of events in the third ODI at Mohali. While Virat Kohli dazzled with a century, it was some tremendous batting as well as a few selective bowling performances that gave the badgered Kiwis some hope and encouragement.

Hopefully, it will be the same hope and encouragement that will fuel their urge to square the series in the upcoming ODI at Ranchi. The fact that they have never played at this venue will only fuel their expectations in a bid to gain a clean charge sheet at a venue they have never played in. Thus, in a nutshell, Kane Williamson, and his men will be hoping to serenade the venue with their presence and hopefully a win.

While an exciting clash awaits one and all, the New Zealand will know all too well the threat that India carry. As Kumar Sangakkara has said previously, India is incredibly difficult to beat at home. With players such as MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli in the side, it seems clear that New Zealand would have to play out of their skins to make a statement of intent.

Team Analysis

India

In the last three ODIs at Ranchi, the Indians have clinched wins in two of these encounters. Although it would be of little consequence, MS Dhoni and Anil Kumble will have one eye on the third place in the ICC rankings, something that they will clinch should they win the series 4-1. This would perhaps be the incentive for the Indians to crack on and secure a win.

As far as the team selection goes, only Suresh Raina has been ruled out of action after failing to recover in time for his illness. While there have been no new additions to the squad, the Indians will be mulling over making a change in the opening slot.

With Rohit Sharma not able to make an impact with the bat, one could very well see Mandeep Singh making a comeback into the side after the matches against Zimbabwe. The previous encounter saw an uncanny Amit Mishra fail quite badly with the ball despite taking wickets which could very well see Jayant Yadav make an entry into the squad.

Also read – Adam Gilchrist congratulates MS Dhoni on reaching 9000 ODI runs

New Zealand

While New Zealand has a spotless record at the Ranchi Stadium having never played at this venue, Kane Williamson would be the sort of person who would love to keep it that way. Moreover, the fact of the matter remains that India is a very difficult side to beat at home, something that will be lingering on the minds of Williamson and the coach Mike Hesson.

As far as team selection goes, it will be a tough one for the Kiwis given the fact that they have a few underperforming members within their side. Ross Taylor’s tour has not been going particularly well thus far and the Kiwis might be wanting to change this with the likes of BJ Watling and Anton Devcich in the side.

Playing XI (Probable)

India: MS Dhoni (C & WK), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma/Mandeep Singh, Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Amit Mishra/Jayant Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (C), Luke Ronchi (WK), Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Matt Henry

StAttack:

1. Luke Ronchi requires 7 more dismissals to complete 100 ODI dismissals. He will become only the third New Zealand wicketkeeper to do so after Brendon McCullum and Adam Parore.

2. Martin Guptill requires 117 runs to complete 5000 ODI runs. Kane Williamson also stands on the precipice of a record requiring 191 runs to complete 4000 ODI runs.

3. Another record beckons for Dhoni as he requires 9 stumpings to complete 100 ODI stumpings.

4. India has won two of the three ODIs played on this ground. Both wins came from chases. New Zealand has never played at this venue.

5. Virat Kohli has scored 19 hundreds under the captaincy of MS Dhoni which is the most by any player under any captain in ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar had scored 18 hundred under the captaincy of Mohammad Azharuddin in ODIs.

Also read – Virat will take Indian cricket to heights we’ve never seen before: Ravichandran Ashwin