New Zealand like always, have the man power

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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They now have the guy who scored the fastest ODI century and a bowler who can clock 150kmph. All they need is their ‘fairy consistent mother’ to smile on them. The last time India and New Zealand met in New Zealand for an ODI series, India cruised to a series victory. However, only 4 members (MS Dhoni, S Raina, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma) from that team remain in this current Indian line-up. The New Zealand team has undergone quite a few changes too.

Yet their surprising tenacity towards mediocrity hasn’t changed. In more than 40 years of international cricket, they still haven’t had their time of dominance. They drew their last ODI series against West Indies and won the two T20s. From these games emerged two talking points; Corey Anderson’s century and Adam Milne’s fastest ball.

Corey Anderson’s innings was brilliant. It wasn’t blind slogging but proper cricket shots that got him to the world record. Unfortunately he mirrors NZ’s illness; inconsistency. Quite obviously as a cricketer he aims to perform in every match (unless you see him waving a towel around). He along with the whole country will be hoping he can replicate one good innings after another against India. Against the Indian attack which went for plenty on helpful South African wickets, he needs to score to avoid becoming another Shahid Afridi with the bat. With Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder providing the experience, New Zealand have a mix of aggressive and calm batsmen. It’s just a question of performing.

Adam Milne threatens to dismantle any batting unit, let alone the Indian lineup. He has pace and excellent control. He’s got a pacy run-up with a whippy action which finishes tall. It was bounce and a bit of movement that did the Indian batsmen in the South African ODI series. Curators need to heed coach Mike Hesson’s plea and provide green tracks with good bounce. Head to head, NZ have the better attack. The better spinners might be Indians but alien conditions generally nullify the threat they pose.

Once again, it’s a contest of the opposition bowlers versus the Indian batsmen. Even though India might end up winning, it’s going to be a hard fought series. 

Key players : Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Corey Anderson, Adam Milne

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