India will take on New Zealand in the 18th match of ICC World Cup 2019 at Trent Bridge on Thursday. Both teams are coming into this match on the back of comprehensive victories. While India were clinical in their victory over Australia, New Zealand registered a thumping victory over Afghanistan. Moreover, both sides are unbeaten in the tournament so far, with New Zealand playing one more match than India.
However, one team is going to halt the winning run of the other in this match. India would be weary of New Zealand's pace attack which bundled India up for a paltry total of 179 runs in the warm-up game. Things have got a bit trickier for India with Shikhar Dhawan ruled out of this game with an injury to his thumb. That has once again opened up the No. 4 debate for India. Lokesh Rahul is expected to open the innings along with Rohit Sharma in Dhawan's absence. Either of Dinesh Karthik or Vijay Shankar will slot in as the No. 4.
New Zealand, however, are free of injuries. All of their players are at peak fitness, and, hence, they have the least of concerns. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have been in good form whereas Martin Guptill has looked good in the breezy 20s and 30s he has scored. Munro also has done well. But the biggest positive has been their all-rounder Jimmy Neesham's bowling form. He registered a five-wicket haul in the last match, and, hence, would
India will take on New Zealand in the 18th match of ICC World Cup 2019 at Trent Bridge on Thursday. Both teams are coming into this match on the back of comprehensive victories. While India were clinical in their victory over Australia, New Zealand registered a thumping victory over Afghanistan. Moreover, both sides are unbeaten in the tournament so far, with New Zealand playing one more match than India.
However, one team is going to halt the winning run of the other in this match. India would be weary of New Zealand's pace attack which bundled India up for a paltry total of 179 runs in the warm-up game. Things have got a bit trickier for India with Shikhar Dhawan ruled out of this game with an injury to his thumb. That has once again opened up the No. 4 debate for India. Lokesh Rahul is expected to open the innings along with Rohit Sharma in Dhawan's absence. Either of Dinesh Karthik or Vijay Shankar will slot in as the No. 4.
New Zealand, however, are free of injuries. All of their players are at peak fitness, and, hence, they have the least of concerns. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have been in good form whereas Martin Guptill has looked good in the breezy 20s and 30s he has scored. Munro also has done well. But the biggest positive has been their all-rounder Jimmy Neesham's bowling form. He registered a five-wicket haul in the last match, and, hence, would be eager to extend his purple patch.
Overall, both sides have a strong batting and bowling line-up supported by good all-rounders. However, the Kiwis will have the advantage in this match if their pacers find a little bit of swing going their way.
Weather and Pitch conditions: Forecast is not good as quite a bit of rain is expected to happen on Thursday. But even if the weather permits us to have a shortened version of the game, the conditions and the pitch will no doubt assist the seamers.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-Keeper: MS Dhoni (8.5 Cr)
Dhoni has shown decent form in the tournament so far with scores of 34 and 27 in the last two matches. Moreover, he scored a century in the warm-up game against Bangladesh as well. With Lokesh Rahul expected to move up the order to open along with Rohit Sharma, Dhoni might get pushed up the order to bat at No. 4 as well. So, he is the best choice to go with in this match.
Batsman: Virat Kohli (10.5 Cr)
The Indian skipper averages a massive 68.52 against the Kiwis. He has over thousand runs against them in ODIs, which includes five centuries and seven fifties as well. There is no reason to overlook him in this match.
All-Rounder: Hardik Pandya (9 Cr)
The Indian all-rounder showed what he is capable of with a cameo of 48 runs in the last match. Although he is yet to pick up a wicket in this match, his bowling ain't be underestimated at all. He should be your first choice all-rounder in this match.
Bowler: Trent Boult (9 Cr)
You should not look at anyone other than the Kiwi left-arm pacer if conditions are overcast. He is one of the best swing bowlers in the world and has troubled Indian batsmen a lot in the past.
Captain: Virat Kohli
Vice-Captain: Hardik Pandya
Predicted Playing XI:
India: Rohit Sharma, Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli, Vijay Shankar/Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
