Former India player Gautam Gambhir believes that the India-New Zealand match in the upcoming T20 World Cup is going to be an evenly-poised affair. Team India will take on New Zealand in their second game of the T20 World Cup, slated to be played on October 31 in Dubai.
During a discussion on the Star Sports show Game Plan, Gautam Gambhir said: “Absolutely 50-50. When you go to such a big tournament, the records are only for the media and the fans. The records do not matter for the players at all and they do not think about them as well.”
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He again shared that an individual player might be concerned about his record but he believes teams would not bother about that as well. Meanwhile, India have failed to win against New Zealand in an ICC event since the 2003 ODI World Cup. And, Gambhir believes Team India can win against the Kane Williamson-led side, considering the overall depth in their squad.
Gautam Gambhir stated: “Yes, you can think about your individual record. If a player is struggling against a particular bowler, that can be on his mind. But Pakistan having never won against India and India having never won against New Zealand, that never matters.”
“India can definitely defeat New Zealand, you have the firepower. You have Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul – when you have batsmen and bowlers like these, it will not be easy for New Zealand. We cannot say New Zealand are the underdogs because they are a very very well-balanced side. They have Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson, and they have the firepower in the batting. So, you will have to play good cricket,” Gautam Gambhir concluded.
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However, Team India have been playing against England in a five-match Test series as well. While the first Test has ended in a draw, India managed to win in the second at Lord’s.
