Cricket World Cup 2019: Rohit against Boult and the other key battles for India v New Zealand

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  • Rohit Sharma faces a tough examination by Trent Boult.

    It will be a battle between the only two undefeated teams so far in the 2019 ICC World Cup when India and New Zealand lock horns at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

    Both the teams have been impressive in their respective campaigns so far and will want to preserve their unbeaten status at any cost on Thursday.

    While there does exist a big rain threat on Thursday, there will be plenty of exciting duels on offer should the game go ahead. Here, we look at the three key battles which could prove to be decisive at Trent Bridge.

    BUMRAH V WILLIAMSON

    Jasprit Bumrah has been excellent so far for India with the pacer living up to his No1 billing in the ODI format. The right-arm fast bowler has been equally effective with the new ball up front and with the older ball in the death overs.

    Bumrah has so far claimed five scalps in two games and it will be his task once again to get India the early wickets against New Zealand. The main wicket both he and India will be desperate for will be that of Kane Williamson.

    The Kiwi skipper loves to anchor the innings and getting him out cheaply will be vital for the Indians. Williamson’s form in the World Cup has been good with the right-hander fresh from an unbeaten 79 against Afghanistan.

    He is one of the most technically assured batsmen going around and dislodging him should be an exciting challenge for Bumrah.

    Bumrah has been lively with the new ball in the World Cup.

    Bumrah has been lively with the new ball in the World Cup.

    KULDEEP V TAYLOR

    New Zealand stalwart Ross Taylor has been in prolific form in ODIs since the turn of 2017 and will be looking to dominate the middle-overs against the Men in Blue.

    The right-hander averaged nearly 92 with the bat last year and has continued in the same vein in 2019 where he is currently averaging a stellar 72.30. There are not many weaknesses in Taylor’s game and he will look to impose himself on the bowlers at every opportunity on Thursday.

    He loves to take on the spinners and it will be interesting to see how he handles the threat of Kuldeep Yadav. The India wrist-spinner has been one of the biggest wicket-taking threats for Virat Kohli’s men over the past two years but he is not in the best of forms currently.

    He had a poor IPL campaign and has only picked up the solitary wicket in his two World Cup appearances so far. He still seems short of confidence and that will be something Taylor will look to exploit at Trent Bridge.

    Taylor will look to get on top of India's spinners.

    Taylor will look to get on top of India’s spinners.

    ROHIT V BOULT

    The injury to Shikhar Dhawan means that there is now an increased onus on Rohit Sharma to give India a strong start with the bat. The deputy skipper registered a fine ton in India’s campaign opener against South Africa before following it up with a half-century in the win over Australia.

    However, despite his stellar ODI record, Rohit does have a clear weakness against left-arm pacers which has been exploited in the past. In 202 ODI innings, the opener has been dismissed 23 times in total by left-arm quicks including three ducks.

    That chink will be what Trent Boult will be looking to exploit for New Zealand when he steams in with the new ball. Conditions will definitely be overcast on Thursday, if play gets underway, and that should aid Boult in generating plenty of late swing. He has already picked up 22 wickets in 12 ODIs against India and claimed 4-33 when the two teams met in the World Cup warm-up clash.

    Rohit has his task cut out against Boult's left-arm pace threat.

    Rohit has his task cut out against Boult’s left-arm pace threat.

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