MS Dhoni-led team will look to pose further problems to the visiting New Zealand in what is expected to be a tall-scoring encounter today
If it’s Delhi’s Ferozeshah Kotla, it has to be a big-scoring game.
In the time of peak festive season, fireworks are expected during the second ODI on a pitch that has always been known for aiding batsmen.
But, there is little celebration in the visiting New Zealand camp as they are down 0-1 in the five-match ODI series after being whitewashed in the Test series. With Delhi’s dry weather will be completely different from that of Dharamshala, Kiwi players may find it even harder at a venue that has not been kind to them in recent visits. Not long ago, England shattered Kiwis’ World T20 dream run in the semifinals here. The Mumbai Ranji team also punished the visiting bowlers here just a month back.
The bad news for Kiwis in recent days is that it was not the Indian spinners who have troubled their batsmen. Rather, it was the Indian seamers, led by young Hardik Pandya, that strangulated the top order in Dharamshala.
And, when it came to spin department, Amit Mishra and Kedar Jadhav did their part with perfection even though there was hardly any turn there. Now knowing Kotla better, one would expect Mishra to play even more crucial role on Thursday.
India are not likely to make any changes for this game as Suresh Raina continues to be unfit to play in the series. Though, one would expect Mahendra Singh Dhoni to use the likes of Rohit Sharma if Kotla plays to its potential.
Raina’s loss is certainly the big gain for Maharashtra skipper Jadhav. Having been a prolific scorer at the domestic level, Jadhav has impressed everyone with his part-time spin by taking two wickets in the first ODI. He could well be part of Team India’s main strategy while planning for 2017 ICC Champions Trophy in England.
Local boy Virat Kohli will be another star attraction for the local fans. It is another matter that he would not be the team’s captain like the one when India played here last time. The 27-year-old is expected to carry on with his great run with the bat.
However, the biggest opportunity would be for Manish Pandey to cement his place at No. 4. This would also certainly give skipper Dhoni a reason to come a bit higher at No. 5 than his usual batting position. This will also give him an opportunity to groom Pandey to do the finisher’s job before going into the Champions Trophy.
Ajinkya Rahane’s opening slot is not going to be shuffled with, especially after seeing him bat so comfortably at the top. His innings of 33 four days ago was full of class and could well make him a permanent at this slot. And, Kotla has always been his lucky hunting ground, having two brilliant hundreds against his name in Tests.
On the other hand, Kane Williamson’s team is struggling to even play to their potential in this series. The visiting batters will have to dig deep at the crease in order to stay longer. In Dharamshala, they were all guilty of playing early and playing recklessly except for one batsman, Tom Latham. Otherwise, with a batting line comprising Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Williamson, Luke Ronchi, Corey Anderson and Jimmy Neesham, they should be putting up a decent total on the board.
Kotla could well be an ideal place if visitors have to strike form. The slow and low surface here has always been the paradise for batsmen. And, if visitors can get beyond a mark of 250, their bowlers can have a score to defend.
Did you know?
India have won 12 ODIs out of 18 at the Kotla, losing five while one ended in no result
N Zone:
64.33
The average of Virat Kohli at Delhi’s Kotla in five ODIs
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