India vs New Zealand 2016: 5 things India need to do to win the decider

After a drab Test series from a neutral perspective, the 5-match ODI series between India and New Zealand has been a welcome change with the visitors giving MS Dhoni’s men a run for their money and taking the series into the final match to be played at Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

While India continued their fine form from the Test series to comfortably win the first match of the ODI series at Dharamsala by six wickets, the Black Caps showed that they were not going to let the home side steamroll their way over them like in the Test series when they clinched a thriller at New Delhi in the 2^nd ODI.

A batting masterclass by MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli saw India take a 2-1 lead at Mohali before the visitors once against fought their way back to win the contest at Ranchi.

Despite the setbacks, India are the favourites heading into the contest at the southeastern coastal city but weather threatens to play spoilsport in what otherwise promises to be a thrilling finale. The millions of cricket fans will be praying that the rain gods oblige so that we get to see a full and fair contest.

Here are five things Team India need to do that will possibly see them win at Vizag and thereby add the ODI series triumph to the Test trophy.

# 1 Win the toss and bowl first

With rain threat looming, India should bat second if they win the toss

First things first. India have chased the target in all of the four matches so far tasting success twice while faltering on the other occasions. History suggests that it is better to set the target in a decider but considering the high probability of rain interruptions, it is better to chase a target with fewer overs to bat.

And when you have someone like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni in your ranks, it is never a bad option to opt to chase. The lower middle-order might be lacking in experience but Manish Pandey’s brilliance against Australia at the SCG earlier this year is proof that the credential is there to chase down any target with ease.

The Indian bowling attack is also lacking in experience and it might be better if they are not made to bowl second, especially if the contest heads into a close finish, especially as they have not been exposed to such a scenario so far in the series.

#2 A solid start at the top

Rohit Sharma has struggled so far in the series

With injuries to Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane has been forced to open the innings alongside the enigmatic Rohit Sharma. While Rahane has made a few decent starts, India’s permanent opener has been struggling, to say the least. Scores of 14, 15, 13 and 11 reflect Sharma's struggles with the bat but the home fans will be hoping that he finally comes good as he usually does when forced into a corner.

Rahane will also be hoping to convert his starts into a big score. Sure Kohli and Dhoni have looked in fine touch so far but with the series on the stake, a good start goes a long way in helping a side settle down, be it chasing a total or setting a target.

#3 Better discipline from the fast bowlers

MS Dhoni will be hopeful Jasprit Bumrah is back from injury on Saturday

While the fast bowlers were largely responsible for India’s victory in the series opener besides being highly effective in the 2^nd ODI as well, the contribution has been futile in the last two matches. Bumrah’s injury hasn’t helped the cause with his replacement Dhawal Kulkarni proving highly expensive at Ranchi.

Dhoni would be hopeful of a much more disciplined effort from his fast bowling unit on Saturday and provide able support to the spin bowlers, especially Amit Mishra, who have been impeccable so far. India would love to have Bumrah’s slog-overs expertise back in their ranks, even more so if they are forced to defend a total in a tight situation.

#4 No gimmicks with the batting order

Pandey needs to be given more time in the middle

The decision taken by Indian skipper MS Dhoni to promote himself up the order and come out at the No. 4 spot has been a welcome one and one which the majority of the Indian cricket fans had been asking for some time. At the same time, it is essential that the likes of Manish Pandey and Kedhar Jadhav are given enough time to settle down and play their natural game rather than being left too late and forcing themselves into a mistake.

The decision to send in Axar Patel ahead of the pair on Ranchi might have been a calculated risk that unfortunately didn’t work out, but it is better not to take such a risk in the decider on Saturday.

The emergence of Hardik Pandya as a batting threat is welcome and the tail has wagged so far, but the temptation to promote them higher up the order is something Dhoni should resist on Saturday.

#5 Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni must shine

The home crowd will be banking on Kohli and Dhoni to once again steer India to victory

A decent enough partnership between Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni would prove to be half the battle won. It proved to be the case at Mohali and there is no reason why Vizag should be any different. Kohli has been in amazing form throughout the year while Dhoni’s abilities on Indian pitches, especially when chasing a target cannot be questioned.

Kohli’s dismissal at a crucial juncture in Ranchi proved to be crucial in the final outcome of the match and with the absence of a solid lower-middle order, the responsibility on the shoulders of Kohli and Dhoni is immense. With Rohit Sharma struggling in the series so far, they have been asked to come out to the middle much earlier than they would have liked to.

The skipper and his deputy though are not ones to shy away from the responsibility and perhaps it is safe to say that they thrive under the pressure. While the Indian cricket fans will be hoping that they are not required to do too much, they would be more than happy to see Kohli and Dhoni repeat their heroics of Mohali at Vizag as well.