Anil Kumble Has An Advice For Team India Ahead Of Their Do-Or-Die Clash

As India gear up to bounce back from the heavy defeat in the first T20I against New Zealand, former India skipper and coach Anil Kumble has a word of advice for them. India were thoroughly outplayed in the series-opener in Wellington.  The hosts thrashed India by 80 runs to take the lead in the three-match series.

Put in to bat first, New Zealand openers – Seifert and Colin Munro fired on all cylinders.  The two added 86 runs in just 49 deliveries before Krunal Pandya gave the visitors the first breakthrough by dismissing Munro.

But it did not bring any respite for India as Seifert went on hammering the Indian bowlers, thus setting the platform for a huge total. India finally dismissed him in the 13th over but the damage was already done. Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Scott Kuggeleijn then played handy knocks to ensure that New Zealand end their innings on a mammoth 219 for 6.

In reply, India were all out for just 139. The Men in Blue rarely looked in contention to chase down the total and kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. The likes of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant all failed to get going as New Zealand asserted their authority over India in T2oIs once again. MS Dhoni top-scored for India, scoring 39 while Vijay Shankar and Dhawan scored 27 and 29 respectively.

With India now in do-or-die situation, Anil Kumble feels the visitors should attack New Zealand with two regular spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

“India needs to bowl to their strengths which did not reflect during the (first) match. The bowling side should have been led by an experienced bowler like Bhuvneshwar (Kumar), who has the capacity to swing and take early wickets with a new ball in favourable conditions,” Kumble told Star Sports.

He also said that the team management could try pairing Krunal Pandya with other experienced spinners.

“The team could also try pairing Krunal Pandya with other experienced spinners in the squad for the remaining matches. India should look at attacking New Zealand with two regular spinners – Kuldeep (Yadav) and (Yuzvendra) Chahal – in the upcoming matches,” said Kumble, a veteran of 132 Tests.

India, meanwhile, will be also looking to register their first-ever T20I win on the New Zealand soil. The Men in Blue have so far played 3 T20Is in New Zealand and have lost all three.