India and New Zealand play a must-win clash in the World T20 Group 2 clash on Sunday. Both the teams have lost their opening match to Pakistan. Another loss would spoil their chances of making it to the semi-finals.
Both the teams have won 8 and lost 8 in 16 T20Is against each other. However, India has the edge, having beaten New Zealand 5-0 in a five-match T20I series in 2020. But much water has flowed since. New Zealand defeated India in the World Test Championship final and is a highly competitive team now that has started learning to win titles.
Cricwizz takes a look at the battles between players of the two teams when they clash on Sunday in the important World T20 clash.
Rohit Sharma vs Trent Boult
Trent Boult, who would open the bowling for New Zealand, would be raring to have a go at the Indian opener and his Mumbai Indians captain, Rohit Sharma, especially after the Hitman was out LBW to Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi’s incoming delivery in India's opening match in World T20.
With Rohit susceptible to incoming balls from left-arm pacers, Boult – a likewise pacer - would be looking to exploit this weakness, and give the Kiwis a great start. However, Rohit would be working on plans to counter this weakness after the dismissal against Pakistan, and negate Boult’s threat.
Kane Williamson vs Varun Chakravarthy
Williamson is the anchor of the New Zealand batting line-up. He would come in at number 3 to get the scoreboard ticking with his singles and twos, and bat through the innings. With no apparent weakness, Williamson is tough to be dismissed. In that case, mystery spinner Varun would be the best bet, and it would be interesting to see how the New Zealand captain copes with it. The two have played against each other in IPL, but they will be facing in T20Is for the first time.
Virat Kohli vs Kyle Jamieson
Although Jamieson was not included in the XI against Pakistan, the pacer holds an edge over his RCB teammate Virat Kohli. Remember the World Test Championship final when Jamieson dismissed Kohli in both innings. And Kohli’s wicket is a big one, and none better than Jamieson to have a go at India’s captain to break the backbone of India’s batting line-up. But Kohli is a quick learner. He hates to get out to the same bowler and/or same dismissals, and would definitely have a plan or two against Jamieson.
Rishabh Pant vs Ish Sodhi
When Pant comes out to bat, he might face the spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi. Although Pant is quite adept at hitting spin bowling out of the ground, he is also quite susceptible to it, especially when he puts his guards down, and goes all-out attacking the spinners. It is there Ish, a leg-spinner would have an edge over Pant.
Although the leg-break would turn into Pant for him to slam it over the square leg boundary, it would give Ish enough chances to get a false stroke from the Delhi Capitals skipper and get the better of him. It would be a great battle to watch out for between the two.
Which battle are you waiting eagerly to watch? Can the Indians bounce back after the humiliating defeat against the Pakistani side? Stay tuned with Cricwizz as we bring you exciting content round the clock.
