India will lock horns with New Zealand in the 21st match of the Men’s World Cup ODI 2023 at HPCA Stadium in Dharmshala on 22nd October, Sunday. Both teams are having a scintillating tournament thus far, remaining unbeaten in four matches. India and New Zealand are the only teams that are yet to lose the match in the ongoing edition of the Men’s World Cup ODI. India are currently second with 8 points and an NRR of +1.59, while New Zealand are at the top of the points table with 8 points and an NRR of +1.923.
In the Men’s World Cup ODI, New Zealand have an edge over India with five wins in nine matches. Their most recent encounter between the two sides in the tournament was in the 2019 semi-final, where the Black Caps defeated the Men in Blue by 18 runs. The upcoming match between India and New Zealand is expected to produce thrill and excitement as both sides will fight to maintain their winning streak. Meanwhile, H Pandya has been ruled out of the clash due to an ankle injury.
Players to watch out for
1. V Kohli (IND): V Kohli has been in excellent form in the ongoing Men’s World Cup ODI. His form is crucial for India in the tournament. In the last match against Bangladesh, V Kohli played an unbeaten match-winning knock of 103 off 97 balls while chasing the target of 257. In this World Cup, Kohli is currently the third-leading run-scorer with 259 runs, including a century and two half-centuries, at an average of 129.50 in four matches so far. When Kohli is in his rhythm, it will be a treat to watch him bat. Also, he has always stepped up in clutch moments, rescuing India from tough situations. V Kohli will look to produce another excellent performance against New Zealand.
2. R Ravindra (NZ): R Ravindra is already one of the star players for New Zealand in this Men’s World Cup ODI. His name has been buzzing since his unbeaten 123-run knock against defending champions England in the opening match of the tournament. He followed up with a half-century against the Netherlands. He was a replacement for Kane Williamson in the playing XI but cemented his place in the team with his performances so far. Ravindra is currently seventh on the list of leading run-scorers of the tournament, aggregating 215 runs, including a century and a fifty, at an average of 71.66 in four matches so far. R Ravindra will look to come up with goods against India.
3. S Gill (IND): After a poor outing against Pakistan, S Gill got back to his groove with a half-century against Bangladesh. The 24-year-old had missed India’s first two matches due to sickness. Gill is one of the key batters for the Men in Blue in the ongoing Men’s World Cup. He can provide a good start for India in the powerplay and anchor the innings when needed. S Gill has the ability to adjust as per the situation of the game and seamlessly shift gears even in pressure situations. Gill is the man in form in ODI cricket this year, with 1299 runs at an incredible average of 68.36. S Gill will look to pose a threat to New Zealand’s batting line-up.
T Boult (NZ): New Zealand has been banking on T Boult in the ongoing Men’s World Cup ODI. The 32-year-old is one of the key bowlers for the Black Caps in the tournament. In the previous match against Afghanistan, Boult scalped two wickets while conceding just 18 runs at an economy rate of 2.6 in seven overs. His swing has often troubled the best batsmen in the world. T Boult is a reliable bowler with the new ball and can take wickets in the powerplay. Though he had a decent start to the tournament with five wickets in four matches so far, T Boult can be a real threat when he is in his rhythm. Since Dharmshala’s pitch is favourable for fast bowlers, Boult will have a crucial role to play for New Zealand against India.
J Bumrah (IND): J Bumrah is a leading pacer bowler for India in this World Cup ODI. There was a lot of concern about his performance after returning from an injury layoff in August this year. However, the 29-year-old decided to let his performance do the talking. He picked up two wickets in India’s opening match against Australia, followed up with a four-wicket haul against Afghanistan. Then, Bumrah scalped two wickets each against Pakistan and Bangladesh. He is currently the second leading wicket-taker of the tournament, with 10 wickets at an average of 13.40 in four matches so far. Bumrah leads the bowling attack from the front and takes wickets in the powerplay. He can turn the match on its head by taking wickets in the middle overs. Bumrah can pose a threat to New Zealand’s bowling line-up.
Predicted Playing XI
IND: S Gill, R Sharma (C), V Kohli, S Iyer, SK Yadav, KL Rahul (WK), R Jadeja, K Yadav, M Shami, J Bumrah, M Siraj
NZ: D Conway, W Young, R Ravindra, D Mitchell, T Latham (C/WK), G Phillips, M Chapman, M Santner, M Henry, L Ferguson, T Boult
Fantasy Playing XI Picks
Wicketkeeper: KL Rahul (VC)
Batsman: D Conway, S Gill, V Kohli, D Mitchell, S Iyer,
All-rounder: R Ravindra
Bowlers: M Santner, K Yadav, J Bumrah (C), T Boult,
Prediction
India and New Zealand are having a brilliant campaign, with an unbeaten streak of four matches. Both sides are well-balanced and star players are in scintillating form. To pick the winner of the match is difficult. However, we will go with India as favourites to win this contest. Earlier this year, The Men in Blue blanked New Zealand 3-0 at home. India’s batting unit is far more balanced compared to New Zealand’s batting line-up. The seam-friendly surface in Dharmshala will suit India more than New Zealand. On top of that, India will be backed back by the home crowd.
