Leading the ODI series 2-1, the hosts will look forward to continue their winning streak on their skipper’s home ground – the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
While India’s chief concern at the moment seems to be their opening partnership, the Kiwis will want to make sure their middle-order doesn’t collapse too quickly.
Although the Indian team management had the liberty to make changes for the final two matches, they have retained the same squad. Suresh Raina, however, will be missing from the game once again owing to illness.
Here are the five things you can look out for in Wednesday’s match:
APPROACH OF INDIAN OPENERS
Opener Ajinkya Rahane’s average in Tests is unquestionable – 51.37, but at a meagre 32.71, his returns in the 50-over game do not do much justice to the talent that he possesses.
The on-going ODI series was a good opportunity for Rahane to improve his numbers and claim a permanent spot as an opener, but three games down the line, the story hasn’t quite gone to plan for him – scores of 33, 28 and 5 have hardly set the batting card alight.
The man at the other end, Rohit Sharma, is also struggling to make up for Rahane’s loss of form, with his scores reading worse than his partner’s – 14, 15 and 16.
The team management, however, are likely to continue with both batsmen for the last two games. It will be interesting to observe how the openers go about their business, so that some pressure is taken off the middle-order, especially Virat Kohli.
Rahane is the most frustrating batsman in limited overs..! For a batsman with so much ability and composure, he just can't seem to cut it.
— Nitin Sundar (@knittins) October 23, 2016
CAN WILLIAMSON WIN A TOSS?
Surprisingly, New Zealand have not won a single toss on this tour so far, not even in the Test series. Not that winning the toss wins you games, but it gives you a marginal advantage over the team who loses it.
If the visitors are able to capitalise well, provided they win the toss, the Ranchi crowd can expect an interesting encounter which can go down to the wire.
If Kane Williamson’s bowlers can restrict the Indian batsmen to a score of around 280, the encounter promises to be an interesting one.
DHONI COMES HOME
Having finally rediscovered himself in the third ODI at Mohali, a rejuvenated MS Dhoni will be looking to take his form from the last game and entertain his local fans.
This could be the Indian limited-overs skipper’s final international appearance at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium which has played host to one T20I and three ODIs, with India not losing a single match.
You can expect the crowd to show up with huge support for Dhoni.
BUMRAH’S YORKERS NEEDED
In the third ODI at Mohali, New Zealand’s tail-enders did what their better equipped batsmen failed to do. The Indian bowlers did a brilliant job to dismiss the Kiwi middle-order for close to nothing before they could reach a competitive target.
The Blackcaps revived their innings thanks to a late surge from Jimmy Neesham (57) and Matt Henry (39*) who were involved in an 84-run ninth wicket stand to stretch New Zealand’s total to 285.
India have found one of the best talents when it comes to bowling yorkers in young Jasprit Bumrah, whose bowling was phenomenal in the second ODI. India will want to use the 22-year-old cleverly and make sure that the New Zealand tail doesn’t wag.
WILL NEW ZEALAND’S MIDDLE-ORDER FINALLY CLICK?
The visitors require a considerable reversal in fortunes if the ODI series is not be decided before the fifth ODI. This game is a must-win for Williamson’s men.
New Zealand’s primary area of concern lies in their middle-order, which has failed to fire. Apart from Williamson’s 118 in the second ODI and Ross Taylor’s 44 in the third ODI, the middle overs have been a friend to the Indian bowlers.
Luke Ronchi’s scores read 0, 6, 1, while those of Corey Anderson read 4, 21 and 6. Since the game is a do-or-die encounter for the Kiwis, they desperately need key men to step up to the mark.
If New Zealand enjoy a stroke of luck at the toss, backed by at least one mighty contribution from their middle-order batsmen, then MS Dhoni’s side could be put under pressure.
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