India vs New Zealand, ICCWCT20 2021, Today Match Prediction 31 October 2021

ind vs nz Match Prediction & Analysis

The 28th game of the Super 12 in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 is expected to be one of the most important games of the tournament. Both India and New Zealand would be under pressure and the winner of this game might take a step forward towards the semi-finals. The two sides have lost their respective opening games against Pakistan and can’t afford to lose this game. 

India has enjoyed a good record against New Zealand in this format of the game in recent years and has won the last five games between the two sides. The condition here at Dubai is also expected to suit the Indians more than the Kiwis. New Zealand is a good side and has highly experienced players and it would be interesting to see if they can deliver a big blow to the Indians in this game. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

India Preview

Virat Kohli’s side has come under a lot of criticism after their 10-wicket loss to Pakistan in the first game of the Super 12. It was a pathetic show with the ball from the side where none of their bowlers were able to put pressure on the Pakistanis. As the side finds its back against the wall Kohli would look to see a good show from his top order and the bowling attack in this game. 

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul missed out in the last game and the side would need a better start from them in this game. Kohli is looking in good form and he would have to steer the middle order with Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan. With Rishab Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shardul Thakur to follow the side has good hitters of the ball down the order and runs would be expected from them in this game. 

It is their bowling attack that needs to take more responsibility and the side would like to see tight spells from Thakur and Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah who had a bad day in the last game must do well here. Jadeja and Varun Chakravarty looked ordinary in the last game and need to tighten their lines. Mohammad Shami who received lots of criticism would have big responsibilities on his shoulders. 

India Predicted Playing XI:

Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

India Actual Playing XI:

Lokesh Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, SN Thakur, Mohammed Shami

New Zealand Preview

Kane Williamson would be upset with the show his side put up in the last game against Pakistan where they lost by 5 wickets. Most of their batsmen failed to push up the scoring rate resulting in a below-par score batting first. One more loss would make it tough for the side from here and Williamson would like to get things rolling with a win in this game. 

Martin Guptill must get going after his slow innings in the last game and set up a good stand with Daryl Mitchell. Williamson too played slow and must work on his scoring rate in the middle order with James Neesham and Devon Conway. The side has good depth in the batting with Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, and Mitchell Santner to follow.   

Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee would have a big challenge on hand given India’s strength at the top and they must bowl tight lines. Trent Boult also didn’t look at his best and as the strike bowler for the side must trouble the Indians. Ish Sodhi must use these conditions well along with Neesham in the middle overs of the game. 

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Tim Seifert (wk), Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Adam Milne, KS Williamson, Ish Sodhi, Martin Guptill, James Neesham, TG Southee

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

We expect to see a warm evening in Dubai on October 31. The surface has eased from the first two games we saw here, and it has become easy to bat on with the ball coming onto the bat nicely. The side batting first in the game would need 170 runs on the board to feel comfortable on this wicket.

Venue Details

Dubai International Cricket Stadium is a large venue but it has a flat surface and a fast outfield. We have seen several high-scoring games here in the past and fast bowlers do get some assistance in the early overs of the game. Spinners have enjoyed these conditions and as the odd ball can turn sharply and stop on the batsmen.

Toss: To Bowl

Four games have been played at his venue so far and in all these games the side chasing the score has gone on to register easy wins. The wicket here is difficult to set a score and we have seen easy run chases. The side winning the toss here would have little hesitation in bowling first.