T20 World Cup 2021, Match 28: India vs New Zealand, Stats Preview: Player records and approaching milestones

Stakes will be incredibly high when India and New Zealand take on each other in the 28th match of the T20 World Cup 2021. The high-voltage encounter takes place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (October 31). With Pakistan winning three games on the trot and almost sealing a semi-final spot, only one other team from Group 2 can qualify for the next stage.

With Afghanistan, Namibia, and Scotland being the other sides in the group, many believe either India or New Zealand can go through the semis. Hence, this game is also seen as a virtual knock-out by many. Having lost their respective first games against Pakistan, both teams haven’t made a fruitful start to their campaign. Hence, the team management of both camps would be busy finalizing their strategies.

India were let down by their bowlers in the last game as Pakistan chased down 152 with all 10 wickets in hands. Hence, some changes are expected in their line-up. On the other hand, the Kiwis gave a tough fight to the Men in Green. However, Asif Ali’s staggering cameo took the game away from them.

Meanwhile, let’s look at important stats and numbers ahead of the 28th game of the T20 World Cup 2021:

Head to head: The head-to-head record in T20Is can’t differentiate India and New Zealand. Both sides have played 17 T20Is against each other and walked away with eight victories apiece. One of their encounters got abandoned. As far as World Cup clashes are concerned, the head-to-head record is 2-0 in New Zealand’s favour.

9 – Virat Kohli needs 9 sixes to become the second Indian after Rohit Sharma to complete 100 T20I sixes.

4 – Hardik Pandya is four big hits away from completing 100 sixes in international cricket.

3 – Martin Guptill needs three hits over the fence to become the first player to hit 150 sixes in T20Is.

44 – Guptill is also 44 runs shy of becoming the second batter after Virat Kohli to complete 3000 T20I runs.

3 – Trent Boult needs three wickets to become the fifth New Zealand bowler to take 50 T20I wickets.

5 – Shardul Thakur is five scalps away from completing 150 wickets in T20 cricket.

5 – Hardik Pandya needs five runs to complete 500 runs in T20Is.

29 – KL Rahul needs 29 runs to complete 5,500 runs in T20 cricket.

14 – A half-century will make Virat Kohli the player with the most 50-plus scores in T20Is as captain (14). He currently shares the feat with Babar Azam.

30 – Tim Seifert needs 30 runs to complete 2,500 runs in T20 cricket.