New Zealand vs India, New Zealand vs India 2020, Today Match Prediction 02 Feb 2020

nz vs ind Match Prediction & Analysis

Yet again New Zealand, after being in a comfortable winning position, took the match to the Super Over. And yet again, they lost the Super Over - that's twice in three days. New Zealand's defeat in the 4th T20I against India at Hamilton will be hard to digest for the team as at one point they were coasting.

However, through some poor execution of batting and smart bowling by India, they tied the game and eventually lost the match in the Super Over. India now leads the 5-match series 4-0. Interestingly, they were below par in the last two matches. Yet, they managed to keep a cool head and showed great character to steal wins out of nowhere.

New Zealand will be cursing their lost chances and wondering where it all went wrong. It will be hard for them to pick themselves up now and produce their best again. India will thus go into the 5th and final T20I of the series with great confidence in affecting a rare whitewash in New Zealand.

TEAMS PREVIEW

New Zealand Preview

New Zealand will have their task cut out for the 5th T20I and if they want to avoid an embarrassing whitewash at home, they really have to dig deep and play maturely.

New Zealand's top-order has performed reasonably well. Martin Guptill and Colin Munro have given the team solid starts. The absence of skipper Kane Williamson in the 4th game due to injury certainly hurt the team and they would be praying he returns for the final game.

Tim Seifert has been a revelation and his attractive 57 in the last match has certainly made the case for the wicket-keeper batsman to be played regularly in the middle-order. The experienced Ross Taylor has been a disappointment this series and he would be itching to make a big impact in the 5th T20I.

The Kiwis were impressive in the last match with their bowling. The spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, especially, were quite outstanding and put relentless pressure on the Indian batsmen. Stand-in captain Tim Southee was good initially but failed yet again in the Super Over. Perhaps it is time for New Zealand to look beyond Southee in the shortest format. Hamish Bennett and Scott Kuggeleijn didn't inspire much confidence either and are likely to struggle if the surface for the 5th T20I turns out to be flat.

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Kane Williamson(c), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Tim Seifert (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee , Ish Sodhi, Hamish Bennett

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Mitchell Santner, Hamish Bennett, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert, Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tom Bruce, Ross Taylor, Ish Sodhi, TG Southee

India Preview

India once again failed to make an impact in a limited-overs game after batting first. They started well but were in complete disarray at 88-6. They would be delighted that Manish Pandey rose to the occasion and slammed an enterprising unbeaten 50 down the order to take India to a respectable total. Rohit Sharma was rested for the last game and it is likely that his replacement, Sanju Samson, will get another chance to prove himself after another failure.

Captain Virat Kohli couldn't capitalize yet again but was looking in good touch. He must be hungry and expect him to be the biggest impact-maker in the 5th T20I for India. All-rounder Shivam Dube's lack of form with the bat and ball is a worrying sign and unless he makes a big contribution soon he is likely to get the axe.

India's bowling shined in the last game with seamers Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur and Navdeep Saini being excellent. The young Saini has been particularly potent and looks like a bright future pacer. Bumrah conceded only 20 runs in his 4 overs and showed why he is still the best. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was expensive again and is likely to be replaced by Kuldeep Yadav in the final match. India has a good variety in their bowling and the unit is likely to put up another good show come to the next match.

India Predicted Playing XI:

Sanju Samson, Lokesh Rahul (wk), Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini

India Actual Playing XI:

YS Chahal, Shreyas Iyer, Lokesh Rahul, SV Samson, Rohit Sharma, Shivam Dube, Manish Pandey, JJ Bumrah, NA Saini, Washington Sundar, SN Thakur

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui is expected to be a belter. In the past, it has produced some really high-scoring encounters where batsmen have made merry. However, if the pitch is a little abrasive then slower bowlers will get purchase. The weather for the match at Mount Maunganui is expected to be warm but pleasant.

Venue Details

The highest total achieved at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui is a massive 243-5 by New Zealand against the West Indies in 2018. This is clearly a high-scoring venue and the average score on batting first here is 181. Thus, the team batting first would be looking to put a minimum of 190-200 runs on the board to feel safe.

Toss: To Bowl

Both the teams have shown an interest in bowling first after winning the toss but final T20I is being played at a venue where no chasing team has won. Thus, the toss-winning team should look to bat first.