The Scenario
This could prove to be the match of the series. For New Zealand, a loss here and they can say good bye to the series. For India, a win and a series win will get closer. New Zealand would probably have to thank their reliable rain gods, who came it when they needed it most to stop the Indian innings and get a no-result. Prior to the rain, India were on fire with Sehwag thrashing the New Zealand bowlers out of the attack while with Tendulkar, it was all about elegant strokes and placement.
Milliondollar question: How will New Zealand stop Virender Sehwag?
The Lowdown
All of the New Zealand bowlers look at sea, including their best bowler from the last series, Iain O' Brien. Even the much reliant Kyle Mills is bowling poorly. Ian Butler was probably the best of the quick bowlers, who was the only bowler to maintain some sort of consistency with line and length. Unfortunately, the only bowler they have left in their bowling stocks is Tim Southee, who I doubt would make much of a difference. In fact the Indians would be happy if he was included in the side - especially Sehwag who greeted Southee in the 1st Twenty20 with 3 straight sixes in first 3 balls faced. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to bring Jeetan Patel in to help control the runs. However, his inclusion in the squad is only as cover for Daniel Vettori who is expecting a child very soon. I doubt Patel and Vettori will be fielded in the same team against this firece Indian team but who knows, a last resort.
The Indian bowlers look on fire, especially Zaheer Khan and Praveen Kumar. Both restricted the destructive pairing of Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder and Kumar was able to get both of them out through false shots in the 1st ODI. Harbhajan Singh has a dream match where he took three cheap wickets in the space off 4 balls - which was the killer blow to any chance New Zealand had of winning. Munaf Patel was underbowled big time and was rather disappointing, 14 runs conceded from 2 overs. The only negative criticism for what was a 'complete' performance so far by the Indian bowlers.
The New Zealand batting line-up is of a great concern, especially with McCullum not 100% fit, Ryder hit and miss, Oram on a hattick 2morrow for golden ducks (not a feat he'd want to achieve) and doubts over Broom/McGlashan to make decent contributions. Nonetheless, New Zealand always seem to pull a rabbit out of the hat in must-win games.
The Indian batting line-up is of complete contrast to New Zealand. Everyone looks great shape and in form, most namely Sehwag, Tendulkar and Dhoni. Sehwag is on fire at the moment with his destructive batting, making the New Zealand bowling attack look like first graders. Tendulkar's fifty in the 2nd ODI gave New Zealand something else to fear, as he is starting to look at his best and when he does, there's no stopping the little master. Even if New Zealand get the trio out, there's still Y. Singh, Gambhi, Raina and Y. Pathan to contend with. New Zealand will have to be at their very best to stop this Indian batting line-up.
The Verdict
This is a must win encounter for New Zealand and as they're shown so many times in the previous years, they know how to win these games. However, this time their assignment is to beat a red hot India who are the form ODI team going around. If New Zealand play at their best, they should be able to win but it will be close. However, if India play at their very best, New Zealand bowlers may be due for a very long night of sight-seeing.
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