Former New Zealand Coach, Mike Hesson reckons that in order to gain an advantage over India five-match ODI series in February next year, the Kiwi bowlers will need to contain the Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the first 15 deliveries and attacking Rohit Sharma straight up.
In limited-overs cricket, the Indian top-order has shown immense superiority in recent times, and they proved it again during the recently-concluded home series against West Indies. Kohli and Rohit, in particular, have been instrumental in setting up and chasing down big targets over the last few years, especially in the home conditions.
However, Hesson felt both batsmen will face some challenge in swinging conditions in New Zealand, as quoted in ESPNCricinfo, he said, “The key thing is if you can contain Virat Kohli in the first 10-15 balls where he has to take some risks to get his innings underway then that will provide opportunities. How you do that is dependent on the surface. But, if we found a magic formula, I’m sure it would be circulated all around the world very quickly.”
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Hesson also warned that New Zealand would need to have plans for Rohit. He feels that the Hitman and once he gets himself set, Sharma has the tendency of dictating the outcome of the game more often than not. So, in order to stop Rohit, Mike said that the new-ball bowlers can attack the batsman early on whether it’ll be with swing or with some other variations.
New Zealand had blanked out India 4-0 at home in 2014 in an ODI series, which also featured a tie in Auckland. Hesson, the then coach, predicted a 3-2 series score in favor of the hosts for the upcoming series.
The Blackcaps are currently the third-ranked ODI team, one behind India, but Hesson pointed out that Kane Williamson and his men would need to quickly sort out a couple of key issues for them to arrive at next year’s World Cup as favourites.
Hesson concluded, “I think there are a couple pieces of the puzzle the Black Caps would be keen to find out before the World Cup. Who is the allrounder? Who provides that balance? A lot of options there. From a bowling point of view, who’s going to take wickets in the middle overs when it’s flat? I think if they can get that sorted then the side’s looking very good.”
