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NZ vs Ind (3rd T20I) – India Looking To Maintain Record In Series Deciders
By CricShots - Feb 9, 2019 6:30 pm
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With the ongoing T20I series between New Zealand and India has been tied it at 1-1 going into the series decider in Hamilton, it would come down to which team handles the fine lines of nerves and pressure at crucial junctures better.

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Team India performed brilliantly in Auckland

In the first T20I, the hosts outplayed the visitors and sealed the game by 80 runs, while Team India came back strong in the second encounter with a clinical win. The Indian team would be pleased with the way the bowlers executed their plans in the second T20I. Krunal Pandya was the pick of the bowlers, while the pacers generated a hint of swing with the older ball to restrict New Zealand to a below par total. Incidentally, with batsmen going for huge sixes, the ball tends to get scuffed up in the shortest format relatively quicker and could lead to reverse swing.

ALSO READ: Predicted XI Of India For The Third T20I 

Despite winning the second game, Team India might consider making some changes in the squad. In the fourth ODI played at the Seddon Park, it swung appreciably under clear blue skies for the Blackcaps. However, the top wicket-takers at the ground in T20Is turn out to be a couple of spinners – Nathan McCullum and Daniel Vettori.

After misfiring in the first match, India’s batting too clicked. Rohit Sharma returning to form after a string of low scores would gladden the Indian think tank. The visitors certainly would look to cap off memorable tours of Australia and New Zealand with another series win.

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Team India terribly lost the Wellington T20I

Meanwhile, the top order’s failure in Auckland would be a cause for concern for the hosts. Tim Seifert, who played the starring role for the home side in the first match, was mostly cramped for room and the lower order couldn’t accelerate. On a positive note, Colin de Grandhomme played with a touch of fearlessness and the home team would be hoping the all-rounder can put up consistent performances. 

Team India has never lost a three-match T20I series ever and apart from that they had also never lost a series decider in a three-match T20I series and they will be looking to continue their record.

ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya Feel Proud Of Krunal Pandya

The tourists could go in with the same winning combination. However, Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm wrist spinner, and Shubman Gill are the couple of options they have if they consider making any changes. Blair Tickner, who was selected for the third game of the series, could come into the equation. The fast bowler bagged 15 wickets at 16.26 in T20s during the 2018-19 domestic season. 

In the recent past, Hamilton has tended to assist spinners a bit. In the fourth ODI between India and New Zealand, it also swung for pacers. Barring a couple of T20Is, captains have elected to field in the shortest format.

Predicted XIs

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (wk), Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Khaleel Ahmed

New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner