New Zealand vs India 2014: 3rd ODI preview

New Zealand

The home side have proved to themselves and the cricketing world that they are no pushovers.

In Corey Anderson, they’ve unearthed a genuine match-winner that every side would love to have. He, to me, is an extended version of Roger Twose from the late 90s and early 2000s. Twose was a big hitter lower down the order, and like Anderson, bowled gentle medium pace.

Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have done something that the Indian middle order hasn’t managed to, i.e stabilize the innings in case of a couple of early blows. Their partnership in both the games bailed New Zealand out of trouble and gave them a platform from where Corey Anderson and Brendon Mccullum could be unleashed.

Lethal fast bowler

In the bowling department, Tim Southee has found the block-hole on a consistent basis during the death overs, and hasn’t given any room to work with for the Indian batsmen. Mitchell McClenaghan has played the role of a potent wicket-taker to perfection. Every time Brendon Mccullum throws the ball to him, he responds with an Indian scalp, and an important one at that.

Also, New Zealand bowlers with their ability to generate extra pace have managed to rattle the Indian batsmen. Extra pace to go with extra bounce is proving to be Indian batsmen’s Achilles heel. Indian batsmen are proving to be compulsive hookers of the short ball, and because of the extra bounce generated by Mitchell McClenaghan & co., Indian batsmen are finding it difficult to keep the ball all along the turf, which consequently is bring about their downfall.

Indian fielding has been good, but has been edged out by New Zealand’s genuine brilliance with their ground fielding and catching. Nathan McCullum’s one-handed ripper to dismiss Rahane in the 1st ODI is a testimony to the previous sentence.

The one-handed ripper I am talking about

Add to the above positives, Brendon McCullum should be applauded for the way he has lead the side. He has always been there with his bowlers to set the right fields, and hasn’t let the pressure of the game get the better of him.

All and all, New Zealand have played with a no-nonsense approach in the 2 ODIs, and that has been the difference, if at all, between New Zealand winning and India losing.

The pitch conditions

The ground in Auckland is known for it’s eccentric dimensions, and the wicket generally is batting friendly. I believe that New Zealand have been spot on with the pitches they’ve produced at both Napier and in Hamilton, where it’s been sparsely dry, and balls have bounced sufficient enough to bother the Indian batsmen. So, don’t be surprised, if another such wicket is dished out in Auckland tomorrow.

Toss

I’d believe that after two successive defeats chasing, Dhoni would tinker with the pattern a bit, and bat first, if he wins the toss. It remains to be seen what New Zealand make of the same. Since the pressure is exclusively on India, Brendon Mccullum might want to go for the jugular, bat first and put up another 290+ total. So, I wouldn’t say that the toss is crucial in the way it might affect the game.

Bottom line

There’s no scope for scepticism that India have their backs to the wall, and for them to win tomorrow, they’ll have to play out of their skins, bring their A-game to the fore, and put in a collective performance from all departments.

New Zealand, well, they just have to continue what they’ve been doing in the last 2 ODIs. But, the big question is whether they can hold their nerve just as they’re on the brink of winning an ODI series against the reigning world champions.

My prediction

What Team India have dished out so far has been infuriating to witness, but I expect Dhoni and Team India to learn from their mistakes in the 2 ODIs, and show New Zealand why they were the no.1 ranked ODI side at the start of this limited overs series.