After a long break of one week, the Indian cricket team will resume their ICC T20 World Cup 2021 campaign on Sunday when they take on New Zealand at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The tournament has arrived at a critical juncture, and this match could be a virtual knock-out for both teams, who have lost their first game.
India were hammered in their opening fixture of the Super 12s in Dubai at the hands of Pakistan. India’s openers succumbed to the new ball masterclass by Shaheen Afridi.
After which, Virat Kohli’s 57 off 49 and Rishabh Pant’s 39 off 30 took them to a respectable 151/7. However, the bowling attack looked completely toothless as Pakistan openers mowed down the target in 18 overs without losing a wicket.
New Zealand were also defeated by Pakistan in their first game of the group stage in Sharjah. Batting first, NZ only managed 134/8 in 20 overs as Haris Rauf ran through their batting unit with a four-wicket haul. The Kiwi bowlers did well to stretch the game as long as they could. After 16 overs, the equation was 37 required off 24 balls, but Asif Ali’s 27* off 12 propelled Pakistan over the line.
Pakistan are almost through to the semi-finals with three victories in three matches, while Afghanistan occupy second place with one win from two matches at an outstanding net run-rate of +3.092. India and New Zealand have a net run rate of -0.973 and -0.532, respectively.
Meaning a loss here puts them in a critical need of depending on other results and winning the rest of the matches with a big margin.
Key players
KL Rahul has 1560 in international T20s at an average 39 while striking at 141.43, including two hundreds and 12 fifties. Rahul has form on his side, with five innings before Pakistan game reading 67, 39, 98*, 51, 39. Rahul will be an important factor in taking India to a flying start.
Virat Kohli has scored 834 runs in the history of the competition at an incredible average of 83.40 and strike rate of 131.75, including 10 half centuries. Kohli has been in terrific form in this format, amassing 373 runs in the last seven games at an average of 93.25 while striking at 139.70. The Indian captain was brilliant in the first game with 57 off 49 when India were pushed back early.
Kane Williamson has been one of the better all-format players in the world. And although he doesn’t have a great record in international T20s, he still has a key role to play on these tricky UAE wickets. Williamson has 1830 runs in 68 T20Is averaging 31.55 at a strike rate of 124.57. The New Zealand skipper has got starts in his last four innings with scores of 26, 31, 37 and 25. NZ will need him to convert the start into a big knock.
Trent Boult is amongst the best new-ball bowlers in world cricket. The left-arm pacer has 47 wickets in 35 international T20s at 16.5 balls per wicket. Considering India’s usual struggles against left-arm pacers, Boult’s new-ball spell could be vital if there’s any movement on offer. Boult picked 2 for 13 in three overs in the warm-up game against Australia, before going for 1/29 against Pakistan.
Prediction
There’s nothing to separate these two teams as far as the head to head record is concerned. They’ve played 16 T20Is, with both the teams claiming eight victories each, including two tied matches won by India in the super over. They have met twice in the T20 World Cup, with NZ winning both.
The flip of the coin has been extremely crucial in this tournament, and both these teams had to bat first in their respective first game. India have a strong unit, and there’s no need for panic. The form of the bowling unit could be a worry, but the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Varun Chakravarthy are well capable of turning things around.
On the other hand, New Zealand have suffered a huge blow with Lockie Ferguson’s injury, and their bowling attack looks ordinary without him. They also have concerns in the batting department, with no one apart from Kane Williamson suited for these conditions. India look a significantly stronger unit and should come out victorious in Dubai on Sunday.
