The first match of the ICC World T20 2016 will take place at Jamtha, Nagpur as India face New Zealand. India does not have a good record against the Kiwis in T20 but India has been playing good cricket in the lead up to the tournament. It promises to be a mouthwatering clash between two top nations in the world.
Here we look at the top 5 players which would play an important role in tomorrow’s first match.
- Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is a class batsman in the world and it is he who needs to start well in the first match of ICC World T20. The pressure will be on him to play well and help the hosts to get off to a winning start. If an early wicket falls he needs to take time and play according to the situation. He needs to play aggressive cricket against a good quality pace attack of Southee and Boult who can be a dangerous pair on any wicket. He needs to bat well if India needs to post a competitive total and put pressure on New Zealand batting line up.
- Martin Guptill
Martin Guptil the top order batsman for New Zealand has been in excellent form of late in T20 format this year. The conditions here in India would help the spinners which would make the life of Guptill little bit tough. He does not have the experience in Indian conditions. Martin Guptill needs to take the time to settle down. Martin Guptill has to make sure that he gets the team off to a flying start. With no McCullum on the other side, it will be the responsibility of Guptill to bat till deep and help New Zealand put pressure on the Indian bowlers.
- Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh will play an important role against New Zealand. If he gets a chance to bat and India are in a good position then his role would be to hit fours and sixes right from the start. Yuvraj Singh also gives the captain the option of a spinner who can bowl and pick important wickets for the team. He has the ability to pick wickets at crucial times and if he does that, then India can put more pressure on the New Zealand batsmen. Yuvraj Singh would be looking to make a mark in the first match itself.
- Trent Boult
Trent Boult a left-handed fast bowler will be crucial for New Zealand in tomorrow’s match. Boult has the experience of playing in Indian conditions which will help him a lot. His role is to take early wickets in the first six overs and restrict the powerful Indian batting line-up. He needs to bowl line and length. His focus should be not giving the openers enough room. While in the death overs his focus should be bowling on Yorkers and change of pace and not allow the batsmen to hit big strokes.
- R Ashwin
R Ashwin will play an important role in the first match as New Zealand batsmen are not comfortable while playing spinners, and hence, Ashwin will be a big threat. His ability to take wickets makes him a dangerous bowler. Ashwin has been the main bowler for MS Dhoni. He is a tough bowler to face and if the pitch is helpful for spinners at Nagpur then Ashwin will create a lot of pressure on New Zealand batsmen. He will not allow the batsmen to score runs easily. Ashwin needs to focus on taking wickets and also controlling the run flow of the New Zealand batsmen.