T20 World Cup 2021, India vs New Zealand (Super 12) Preview: Teams desperate to earn opening win
By Ayush Gupta | First Published Oct 31, 2021, 6:30 AM ISTIndia and New Zealand have failed to get off to a winning start in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. As they aim to do so, both collide in their Super 12 encounter in Dubai on Sunday, while here is the preview.
Former champion India is off to a heart-breaking start in the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, while it has been a similar story for New Zealand as well. Desperate to earn the opening win, both teams collide in their Group 2 Super 12 tie at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Ahead of this thrilling game, we present the match preview.
Current form
Both teams have had a similar start to the tournament, losing their opening games. While India won both its opening warm-up matches, New Zealand lost both of its. As for their last T20I series, India lost to Sri Lanka, while New Zealand failed to Bangladesh. Although things look even considering both sides, the momentum might slightly be in favour of the Indians.
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Team strength & weaknesses, and players to watch out
Considering the sides, India is evenly balanced. Its strength and weaknesses are correspondence too. The players who could draw attention would be skipper Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya, whose form has been volatile of late, along with KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant and Rohit Sharma, who have been deadly with the bat of late. Also, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur and Varun Chakravarthy have to display a phenomenal performance with the ball.
On the other hand, New Zealand has a uniformly matched side too. Notwithstanding, its batting could be its weakness, considering it has just two specialist batter. As far as the players who could impact from the side are concerned, skipper Kane Williamson, along with Martin Guptill, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee.
Injury concerns and head-to-head
Although New Zealand has no significant injury concerns, Indian all-rounder Pandya suffered a blow to his shoulder against Pakistan, while Kohli has asserted that he is okay. The two sides have played each other on 16 occasions, with both winning eight apiece. In the tournament, of the two clashes, the Kiwis have won both.
Weather and pitch report
The weather in Dubai would be hot, with an expected temperature of around 34 degrees and 50% humidity. As for the track, it would be even, with an anticipated assist for both the batters and the bowlers. However, it tends to play slow occasionally. Overall, the side chasing will have a better chance to win this contest.
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Probable XI
India: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul (wk), Virat Kohli (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah.
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Daryl Mitchell/Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi and Trent Boult.
Fantasy XI
Batters: Kohli (c), Williamson, Yadav- Kohli can be the opener here, while Williamson can bat at number three. Yadav can consolidate in the middle-over, while Kohli's rise in the form makes him the skipper.
Wicketkeepers: Conway, Pant- Conway can be a decent opener, while Pant is sure to get going in the middle.
All-rounders: Jadeja, Mitchell, Santner- Jadeja is sure to impact all departments, while Mitchell and Santner will aim to deliver as bowlers.
Bowlers: Southee, Boult, Sodhi- While Sodhi has been impressive with his spinning skills, making him the deputy captain, Southee and Boult would rule with their pace.
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Match details
Date and day: October 31, 2021 (Sunday)
Venue: Dubai International Stadium
Time: 7.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar
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