India won the first ODI by 12 runs [Source: AP]
On Saturday, New Zealand will lock horns with hosts India in the second ODI of the ongoing three-match series. This game holds significant importance for the Kiwis, as a loss here will hand them a series defeat.
Team Preview: India
Although India won the first game, they must be disappointed with how they bowled in the latter half of the New Zealand innings.
Despite reducing the visitors to 131 for six, the Men in Blue allowed Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell to stitch a mammoth 162-run stand for the seventh wicket.
As expected, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav were clinical, but the other Indian bowlers, especially Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya, didn't live up to the expectations.
On the batting front, Virat Kohli must be raring to make his mark in the series, while Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav should focus on converting their starts into match-winning knocks.
Team Preview: New Zealand
On the other hand, Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell were the only positives for New Zealand in the first game. While the Kiwi bowling unit looked in absolute shambles, their batters, barring Finn Allen, succumbed to the scoreboard pressure.
So, moving on to this game, the visitors must regroup and work on their grey areas to restore parity in the series.
With the series at stake, the likes of Devon Conway, Tom Latham and Lockie Ferguson must take ownership and inspire the younger lots to come up with influential returns in this face-off.
Match Details
Date and Time: January 21, 01.30 PM IST
Venue: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Hotstar
Pitch Report: The surface in Raipur will likely be hard and conducive for the batters throughout the day. It will assist the spinners and with dew not expected, chasing might get tricky in the second half. So, the toss-winner will likely opt to bat first.
Predicted XIs
India will likely continue with the same team. If Ish Sodhi is fit, he might come in place of Henry Shipley.
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (C/WK), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi/Henry Shipley, Blair Tickner, Lockie Ferguson
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicket-Keeper: Tom Latham, Finn Allen
Batters: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli
All-Rounders: Mitchell Santner, Hardik Pandya, Michael Bracewell
Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Blair Tickner
Captain: Shubman Gill
Vice Captain: Mohammed Siraj
Prediction
Considering the strengths of both teams, we reckon India will emerge victorious in this match.
Also Read: 'I think defending has always been India's problem'- Sunil Gavaskar
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