Shubman Gill & Co look to overcome their struggles against spin and stop a confident New Zealand side from scripting a maiden ODI series victory in India
India’s Virat Kohli (right), Rohit Sharma (centre), and Prasidh Krishna during a training session in Indore on Saturday. Pics/PTI
India’s absolute dominance at home will come under examination when they meet a determined New Zealand in the decisive third ODI at the high-scoring Holkar Stadium here on Sunday, with the three-match series locked at 1-1. The Black Caps have toured India for bilateral ODIs since 1989, but have never won a series in India and this is arguably their best opportunity to break that barren run.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir would not like another tumbling at home under his regime after getting a number of unwanted firsts. India lost five Tests at home under Gambhir, apart from losing an ODI series in Sri Lanka for the first time.
India’s defeat in the second ODI at Rajkot was shaped less by one extraordinary innings than by how New Zealand seized control of the middle overs. Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten century was built on calculated aggression, particularly against spin, an area where India have been struggling of late.
Indore, with its short boundaries and minimal assistance for bowlers, offers even less margin for error. India’s ability to tackle spin has raised questions. Despite depth and power, the side have continued to show discomfort against spin in the middle overs.
Much of the spotlight will be on Rohit Sharma, who is enduring a lean run in this series. His ultra-aggressive approach at the top has been a defining feature of India’s recent ODI philosophy, but repeated early dismissals have added a bit of pressure.
Virat Kohli, meanwhile, remains the fulcrum around which India’s ODI batting revolves. With India’s next 50-over assignment for senior players likely to come in July during the tour of England, the fans would hope for another RoKo show.
Phillips focused on process rather than history talk
Glenn Phillips
New Zealand batter Glenn Phillips said the chance to script another chapter of history in India was “pretty cool” but stressed that his side would rely on process and adaptability rather than emotion as they eye a rare white-ball series success against a formidable host.
“Opportunities to make history are very few and far between and they’re pretty cool. But focusing on that doesn’t really help with anything. As professionals, we try to treat every moment like any other day,” Phillips said on the eve of the series-deciding game here on Sunday.
Siraj not concerned about Jadeja’s form
Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj. Pics/AFP
India pacer Mohammed Siraj on Saturday backed senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to rediscover his rhythm quickly, insisting that it would only take one wicket for the left-arm spinner to return to his best in the series-deciding third ODI against New Zealand, here on Sunday.
Jadeja went wicketless in the first two ODIs against New Zealand (0-44 and 0-56) in the ongoing series and could scalp only one batter in the preceding three-match series against South Africa at home. “I don’t think there is any concern about Jadeja’s form. It is a matter of just one wicket. Once you get that breakthrough, you will see a different bowler altogether,” Siraj said at the pre-match press conference.
100
India’s winning percentage in ODIs at Indore’s Holkar Cricket Stadium. The hosts have won all seven games played here
108.00
India skipper Shubman Gill’s average at Indore. He has scored 216 runs, including two centuries in as many ODIs
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