New Zealand vs India 2020: 3rd ODI, Mount Maunganui - Preview

Payback – a word that perfectly describes New Zealand’s performance in the ODI series. After having been demolished by India in the T20I series, things were boiling up at the Kiwi camp. They had been humiliated by India on the global stage and their potential was being undermined by their own fans following a whitewash.

This led to a miraculous turnaround. The Black Caps rose from their graves and depicted the world about what they are capable of. Playing without some of the major figures of the team, the Kiwis put in all they had to tell India and the world that their powers aren’t diminished and they are still one of the best teams in the world.

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For India, the series loss has been an eye-opener. They were riding on top of world cricket after having won eight consecutive bilateral series in limited-overs cricket after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Their dominance had been accepted globally as they defeated almost everyone with their performance.

Adding to their performance in limited-overs, they were exceptional in playing Test cricket.

India’s full-throttle race has come to an end and they will have to introspect and work on their shortcomings. To the surprise of everyone, the Indian batting that is considered to be the world’s best while chasing, it collapsed dramatically in the second ODI. Indian openers Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity and their chances in the ODI squad have again been diminished.

India Will Play for Pride in the Final ODI:

Any team in the world would like to avoid a clean sweep. And when its India, Virat Kohli and his boys will surely love to do it. It will be a matter of pride for them when they step on the field for the final game of the series. If India loses the third game, it will be a shameful defeat for the sub-continent side.

Hence, team India is expected to go with a full-strength squad in the final game.

However, Rishabh Pant might make a comeback in the squad for the final game and Agarwal should make his way out of the team.

The visitors will now look to play for pride when they meet the hosts for the final game of the series at Mount Maunganui on February 11.

Date and venue: February 11th, 2020, 07:30 am IST, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.

New Zealand vs India 2020 – Playing Combinations:

India:

Besides, Agarwal could make a way out of the team because of poor performance. Also, team India might rest him keeping in mind the upcoming Test series. Pant could make a way back in the squad as the team management could test his potential in the final game of the series once again.

Jasprit Bumrah could be rested for the final game because of the upcoming Tests and Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal might play together for the visitors.

Shreyas Iyer has cemented his place as the regular number four for India. A couple of good performances in the last two games have made sure that he stays in the team for a long time now.

Predicted XI: Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, K.L. Rahul, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Navdeep Saini.

New Zealand:

The Kiwis might go with an unchanged squad in the second game. They might want to continue the winning squad to give them confidence.

Kyle Jamieson impressed everyone with his all-round performance on his debut in the second game. The quality cricketer won the Man of the Match award on his debut. He should be a part of the final eleven in the final game of the series too.

Predicted XI: Ross Taylor, Tim Southee, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham (c), Hamish Bennett, Colin de Grandhomme, Colin Munro, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kugeleijn, and James Neesham.

New Zealand vs India: Head to Head –

Played – 109

New Zealand won – 48

India won – 55

Tied- 1

No Result- 5

New Zealand vs India 2020: Match Prediction –

Team India has suffered a shocking defeat against the hosts. They will look to bounce back in the third game. India will look to improvize its batting and will play for pride in the final game of the series.

New Zealand, on the other hand, will eye a clean sweep. They might be wondering if a perfect redemption and will look to avenge their 5-0 series loss.

It will be an interesting affair when the two giants of world cricket collide for the final time in the 50-over series this year.

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