AHMEDABAD: The Indian cricket team, which topped the ICC rankings after winning six consecutive ODIs in 2023, tasted defeat for the first time as the format, captain and top-line changed.
After suffering a 21-run defeat in the first Twenty20 match against New Zealand, Hardik Pandya and his team will head to the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday with a win in the second game to level the series at 1-1. If the result is otherwise, then India will not only lose the first series of the year.
It will be a historic setback for Team India, who have rarely lost a series at home in a decade, and a huge win for the Kiwis. Since 2013, India have won 47 out of 55 series played in their own country in all three formats of cricket. The only exceptions were South Africa in 2015 and Australia in 2019.
The main headache is the top-order batsmen not finding their rhythm. Shubman Gill, who scored runs including a double century in ODI matches, returned early in both Twenty20s. After crossing 200 in ODIs against Bangladesh, Ishan Kishan is also worried about not finding runs. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in KL. The batting line-up without Rahul is the only one that doesn’t hold a little hope in the middle order. There is talk of Prithvi Shaq giving Gill or Ishaan a chance on the bench. Rahul Tripathi’s position is also not secure.
The quality of the bowlers was the key to the victory in the second match. India will not try pacer Umran Malik today instead of spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. The pitch at Modi Stadium is prone to run-flow. It is also a matter of pride for Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand to avenge the defeat in the ODI and return with the Twenty20 title.
From the team
India: Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Prithvi Shaw, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shivam Mavi, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner, Benjamin Lister.