We are just a couple of minutes away as Team India under the leadership of Virat Kohli is set to take on New Zealand in their 2nd match of the T20 World Cup 2021.
After suffering a massive 10 wickets defeat against Pakistan in their opening match of the campaign, the New Zealand match is now a must win match for the men in blue.
On the other hand, New Zealand also lost their opening match to the same opposition, Pakistan. As a result, both India and New Zealand now find themselves towards the downward stages of the points table.
The India vs New Zealand match could define a team’s chances of making it to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2021, while the other team may find it very hard.
All in all, this is going to be classic encounter between the two nations, the Star Sports had promoted the matches between the team, it will be Fire vs Ice.
India vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2021: Key Player Battles
Thus, going into the match, we take a look at the key battles to watch out for during the India vs New Zealand match. All the stats mentioned are of the previous 5 years.
Kane Williamson vs Mohammad Shami
Kane Williamson is a class player, and is considered one among the fav four, that includes Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and Joe Root as well.
Kane Williamson has always been a very hard player to tackle for the Indian cricket team. But one certain man, who got abused for his performance against Pakistan, Mohammad Shami has always got the better of Kane Williamson, and this time as well, he will be the main man. Shami has dismissed Kane Williamson 4 times in the T20 cricket, while Williamson has scored 42 runs of 31 balls.
Rohit Sharma vs Tim Southee
Rohit Sharma, who goes by the nickname Hitman, will have the responsibility to give India a good start, but, New Zealand pacer Tim Southee will have a work to do.
Well, he certainly has done so in the past. The New Zealand veteran has got the better of the Indian opening batsman 3 times in the 49 balls, of which, Rohit Sharma has scored 57 runs only.
Virat Kohli vs Ish Sodhi
Well the current New Zealand squad, that is participating in the T20 World Cup 2021, has failed to unlock Virat Kohli. Kohli has dominated every bowler, even Trent Boult, Tim Southee, but for one man, Ish Sodhi.
Well, Ish Sodhi has dismissed him only once, but the leg-spin bowler has managed keep him binded as the Indian captain has scored only 40 runs of 31 balls.
KL Rahul vs Ish Sodhi
Another player the New Zealand leggie can trouble is the other opening batsman for India, KL Rahul. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma are two explosive opening batsman, stopping them early could be crucial.
Ish Sodhi, might be able to get the better of the Karnataka born opener, which he has done so in the past, having dismissed him twice and Rahul could only manage to score 55 runs in the 60 balls he has faced.
Martin Guptill vs Jasprit Bumrah
The New Zealand veteran opening batsman Martin Guptill, who can give New Zealand an explosive start to the match with shear power hitting, could turn out very dangerous for the Indian bowlers.
But, India’s number 1 bowler Jasprit Bumrah will have the duty to stop him. And he certainly has done so in the bygone years. Bumrah has dismissed Guptill 4 times in the past 5 years, whereas, Guptill has scored 37 runs of 36 balls in the period.
