5 possible events which can occur in an IND v NZ match: So finally the wait is over as from tonight onwards, the main round of the World T20 is set to rock the world of the cricket aficionados across the globe. The tournament opener will be played between the hosts India and the Kiwi side. Both the teams would look to set their foot on the right note and start their World T20 campaign on a high. Indians are the red hot favorites for the tournament and are on a seven-match winning streak in T20 internationals. They would look to get in right shape besides getting their machine well oiled for the marquee event.
If we gaze at the Kiwi side, then they are also no muck on the cricket field. They hold an impressive T20I record against the Men in Blue who are yet to beat the Kiwis in the shortest format of the game. All in all, we are set for the clash of titans at the VCA Stadium, Nagpur. On the eve of the match, we have compiled the list of events which can unfold itself in the match.
So, let’s have a look at 5 possible events which can hit an IND v NZ match:
1. A high-scoring thriller:
The pitch at Nagpur is expected to be tailor-made for the batters and it will be a high-scoring thriller. After the third Test match between India and South Africa, the Nagpur deck was deemed as poor by the ICC. This time, around the ICC, has issued firm instructions to make the pitch, a batting paradise for the event.
The VCA pitch curator, Amar Karlekar was quoted by Deccan Chronicle saying, “We are preparing and following instructions of the ICC. Twenty20 games are only for batsmen. It’s going to be a batsmen-friendly wicket and the pitch will help seamers and not spinners, maybe just minimum help to the tweakers. The pitch has been designed for a high-scoring game.” So, folks get ready for a high scoring game with the ball flying all over the park.
2. Virat Consistent Kohli’s purple patch to continue:
The Heartthrob of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli would look to start his World T20 campaign from where he had left in the previous edition of the World T20. The Indian star was the highest run-scorer in 2014 World T20. And if take his current form into consideration, then it’s highly likely that he would pile up a heap of runs, this time, around as well. After playing 8 T20 internationals, this year, the Indian dasher is averaging a mind-boggling 117.62 with four fifties against his name.
As the Nagpur pitch is expected to be batting friendly, Kohli would be a sure shot candidate to amass a big score on the board for the Indians. Off late, Kohli has been in such a rich vein of form that irrespective of any deck, it seems relatively easy for him to plunder runs in almost every match.
3. Guptill going all guns blazing:
Martin Guptill’s recent form possesses ominous signs for the Indians at Nagpur. The Black Caps opener has been in awe-inspiring form in the colorful jersey since 2015 and has been blazing away the opponent bowlers rather easily. In 2016, Guptill has hammered 252 runs in 5 T20 internationals at an outstanding average of 63. Guptill’s T20I career average is almost 35 while his strike-rate is 129.64 which highlights his invariable consistency in the shortest format of the game.
Even in the practice game against Sri Lanka, the right-hander warmed himself up with a 25-ball 41 run knock at Mumbai. The experienced Kiwi batter will be a big threat for the Indians in the opening match.
4. Jasprit Bumrah can surprise you:
Finally in Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian team has found a reliable death bowler. For years, India has struggled to find a quality fast bowler at death who can deliver tidy overs during the fag end of the innings. Bumrah has performed exceedingly well in 20-overs cricket. The Indian quick has claimed 15 wickets in 11 T20Is at a brilliant economy of 6.15. The 22-year-old has swung the new ball efficiently while in the slog overs his deadly Yorkers have earned him a lot of admiration from the cricket experts.
The Ahmedabad-born pacer possesses a very deceptive and tricky bowling action which makes it hard for the batsmen to pick the trajectory of the ball. The Kiwi line-up will be facing him for the first time and it will be a tough challenge for them to face his impeccable Yorkers.
5. New Zealand’s power-hitters coming to the fore:
The Kiwi batters will be licking their lips at the prospect of a flat pitch at Nagpur. The Black Caps batting line-up encompasses ferocious hitters in-form of Colin Munro, Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi in their ranks. Colin Munro can turn around the match in space of few overs and recently he had recorded the second fastest half-century in T20I cricket. Even in the Warm-up match against Sri Lanka, the destructive southpaw had hammered seven sixes on his way to 67 runs.
Corey Anderson is another powerful hitter who gave warning signals to the participants of the World T20 with a 29-ball 60 run knock in the Warm-ups. The Kiwi gloveman, Luke Ronchi is also a merciless lower middle order batsman. Don’t get surprised if you see the power packed Kiwi batting line-up taking the Indians to the cleaners.