Having successfully defended their modest total of 242 to pull off a stunning victory in the second ODI, New Zealand will attempt to repeat their heroics in the third ODI at Mohali and take a lead in the series.
India, on the other hand, will be looking to avenge their loss in Delhi after a batting failure saw them falter in a match which they believed they should have won.
CAN NEW ZEALAND’S BOWLERS STAND UP AGAIN?
In the second ODI, New Zealand pulled a rabbit out of the hat with the ball despite posting what many thought was a subpar total of 242.
Not to be. Very well defended by New Zealand. Williamson got the runs but the bowlers were the stars.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 20, 2016
The Kiwi fast bowlers, though, had other plans and were accurate with their lines and lengths. They bowled fast and hit the deck hard. Clever variations between slower deliveries and bouncers restricted the Indian batsmen from scoring freely.
New Zealand’s brilliant performance with the ball earned them a much-deserved win and this should help their confidence ahead of the third ODI. Can the Indian top-order counter the threat of the in-form Kiwi quicks? It will be an engrossing battle to watch.
INDIA NEED KOHLI TO FIRE
Over the last year and a half, Virat Kohli has reached a whole new level and has firmly established himself as one of the best batsmen in world cricket. One cursory glance at his stats would reveal the impressive year that Kohli is having.
One to take responsibility while chasing, Kohli would have been bitterly disappointed with his dismissal in the second ODI. Given how involved he is nowadays while batting or even when he is out there on the field, it is quite evident that the Delhi batsman loves nothing more than winning.
The loss would have hurt Kohli and he will definitely have his work cut out against an attack which looks to be bowling with good rhythm. His contest with an in-form Trent Boult will be one of the keen battles to watch out for.
WILLIAMSON – THE BIG HOPE FOR NEW ZEALAND
There was much exasperation about Kane Williamson’s indifferent form on this tour up until the second ODI. But if there were any doubts, they were expelled after his brilliant century that also proved to be a match-winning knock.
When Williamson is on song, he is one of the best batsmen to watch because of his elegant style and flamboyance. His century encapsulated a masterful display in a match where no other batsmen from either of the two teams even scored a half-century.
Now that he has struck form, expect Williamson to continue doing solid work in the third ODI. He would, however, like some support so that he does not have to take the burden of responsibility on his shoulders alone.
ROHIT SHARMA NEEDS TO FIRE
Ever since the Indian management took the decision of asking Rohit Sharma to open the innings in limited overs cricket, his story has been one of resounding success. In the last few years, Rohit has established himself as one of the best openers in the world.
Scoring huge centuries – including two double centuries – in ODI cricket was something that was not expected of Rohit before he turned over a new leaf. Not only is he one of the most elegant batsmen in world cricket right now, but he has also established himself as one of the cleanest strikers of the ball.
A special innings from Rohit Sharma seems to be just around the corner. This might well be the match when it finally happens.
Rohit Sharma.
DHONI’S DOWNWARD SPIRAL IS WORRYING
Ahead of the ODI series, Dhoni’s critics had already pointed out how the Indian limited overs captain is no longer the batsman of old. One hoped, however, that he would bat more freely and show glimpses of his former self again.
That, though, has been far from the truth so far in the series. Although he was unlucky to be run-out in the first ODI, he played a bizarre knock in the second encounter. Dhoni plodded and nudged in an atrociously slow knock where he looked unsure and out of touch.
The problem with Dhoni is that he appears to be filled with self-doubt at the moment. He is trying to take matches into the final overs like he used to, but he isn’t quite able to unleash the attacking shots when it is required.
Maybe it’s time for him to be a little circumspect and attack bowlers from the word go like he used to at the start of his career. Otherwise, time might be running out for him.
The way Dhoni is performing he might be replaced by Shushant Singh Rajput very soon. #IndVsNZ
— The Viral Fever (@TheViralFever) October 20, 2016
