India in a do-or-die situation against NZ
25 Jan 2014 6:03 AM IST
Down 0-2 and having lost the world no. 1 tag, the Indian team would be desperate to make amends and stamp their authority in what will be their last chance to make a come back into the five-match series.
If Dhoni’s men fail to win on Saturday, it will be their second consecutive series loss after South Africa outside the subcontinent.
The visitors lost the first ODI at Napier by 24 runs and then went down in the second one-dayer by 15 runs (D/L method) at Hamilton, which dethroned India from the number one ranking in the ODIs. Overall, Dhoni and Co. have lost four of their last five one-dayers, all of which were played outside the sub-continent. This has undoubtedly opened up a number of points for the concerned team to ponder upon.
The fact that the Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni likes to chase, opting to bowl first in both matches so far, the size of Eden Park should be another worry for him. Since New Zealand have a cushion of two victories going ahead, they will be looking to close-out the series in the third match itself, given that the fourth ODI is again in Hamilton where the square is arguably slower.
While windy Wellington could be fairly unpredictable for a series finale. The drop-in pitch at Eden Park will keep their bowlers very interested.
Hamish Bennett, with his lively pace, is expected to come into contention for a place in the side as the pitch curator Blair Christiansen assured that the wicket will generate some pace and bounce, enticing both batsmen and bowlers. India will again be on trial in more ways than one.
If Dhoni’s men fail to win on Saturday, it will be their second consecutive series loss after South Africa outside the subcontinent.
The visitors lost the first ODI at Napier by 24 runs and then went down in the second one-dayer by 15 runs (D/L method) at Hamilton, which dethroned India from the number one ranking in the ODIs. Overall, Dhoni and Co. have lost four of their last five one-dayers, all of which were played outside the sub-continent. This has undoubtedly opened up a number of points for the concerned team to ponder upon.
The fact that the Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni likes to chase, opting to bowl first in both matches so far, the size of Eden Park should be another worry for him. Since New Zealand have a cushion of two victories going ahead, they will be looking to close-out the series in the third match itself, given that the fourth ODI is again in Hamilton where the square is arguably slower.
While windy Wellington could be fairly unpredictable for a series finale. The drop-in pitch at Eden Park will keep their bowlers very interested.
Hamish Bennett, with his lively pace, is expected to come into contention for a place in the side as the pitch curator Blair Christiansen assured that the wicket will generate some pace and bounce, enticing both batsmen and bowlers. India will again be on trial in more ways than one.
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