Cricket News By TODAYLIVESCORE.INFO - Confident India eye another series win. As the never-stopping juggernaut rolls to Ranchi now, there will be a focus on player workload management.
As the never-stopping juggernaut rolls to Ranchi now, there will be a focus on player workload management.
Despite the absence of many of their first-eleven players, the first T20I between India and New Zealand was not short of drama or quality. India eventually managed to take a lead in the series after late hiccups. And with just a days' turnaround, they'll have a chance to clinch the series as well.
As the never-stopping juggernaut rolls to Ranchi now, there will be a focus on player workload management as well. Despite the rest offered to others, both teams have enough players on the bench who would be pushing for a spot in the final eleven.
India's shaky finishing ought to be a point of concern even though they're just one game into the series. Similar questions will be posed to New Zealand's attack, some of whom barely posed a threat for large parts of the chase.
Even with those as immediate concerns, both teams have the task of giving enough game time for those in the fringes, with the preparation for next year's T20 WC already in sight. For India, amongst those targets will be to check out Venkatesh Iyer's bowling credentials and forming a bigger pool of fast bowlers for the format. They had a problem of lack of wickets in the powerplay coming into the series. They managed one in the first T20I, but would be looking to improve on this number. The presence of Yuzvendra Chahal in the reserves also offers some depth, despite the good showing of both Axar Patel and R Ashwin.
For New Zealand, the runs from Mark Chapman at the top of the order augured well amongst the new faces tested out but the middle order faltered at the finish line in the absence of regular Jimmy Neesham. The onus will be on the likes of Rachin Ravindra to fill that gap and enhance his credentials in that position. A similar ask would be had with Todd Astle as well, even as Ish Sodhi waits in the wings.
When: Friday, November 19 at 19:00 IST
Where: JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi
What to expect: Dew could be a factor under consideration with the team winning the toss likely to prefer chasing as is the norm now in T20s.
Team News
India:With a lead in the series already, it is unlikely that India will make any changes to the winning combination unless they prefer to follow a rotation policy which could bring in a couple of uncapped pacers into the equation.
Probable XI:Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Venkatesh Iyer, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar/Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Mohammad Siraj/Avesh Khan
New Zealand
New Zealand preferred to give the players in the fringes an opportunity in the previous game. They could consider bringing in Ish Sodhi in place of Todd Astle who proved to be expensive in the previous game.
Probable XI:Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Todd Astle/Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson/Adam Milne, Trent Boult
Did you know?
– As many as nine specialist spinners were tried by India between Ashwin's last T20I in 2017 till his comeback at the T20 WC
– Since the 2016 T20 WC, India have lost 17 matches while batting first and have won 26 while chasing.
– Since 2016, India have remained unbeaten in 10 of their 11 T20I series at home. They have won also won their last four series at home.
What they said
They (Ashwin and Axar) bowl in tandem for the Delhi Capitals and they are always looking to take wickets which is a good sign and it's important to try and put the brakes and those guys do that – Rohit Sharma
