The side definitely seems on track, having won the high-scoring opening two games in Christchurch. Shreyas Iyer’s men will be keen to ensure that the record stays intact despite the absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is on a long injury lay-off. Canny operator Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the ever-so-consistent Arshdeep Singh will have their task cut out when a focussed Indian team eyes a series-clinching win in the third T20 International against New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday to continue an unbeaten run that dates back to 2020. Virat Kohli’s Indian team had blanked New Zealand 5-0 when the Men in Blue visited this part of the world in 2020. In their next visit in 2022-23, the Indians won the only match that was not wrecked by inclement weather, while the series-decider ended in a tie.
Ahead of the third T20I, the Indian team will not just be worried about a gutsy New Zealand bouncing back but also about the gusty wind that often traverses the Basin Reserve Ground, which is open from three sides.
Ahead of the third T20I, the Indian team will not just be worried about a gutsy New Zealand bouncing back but also about the gusty wind that often traverses the Basin Reserve Ground, which is open from three sides. The heavy-lifting has mostly been done by Glenn Phillips in the middle-order, with two half-centuries, and by Bevon Jacobs in the last game. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi came in place of an injured Ishan Kishan and death overs specialist Prince Yadav replaced Mayank Yadav in the second game. It is early summer in New Zealand and an evening match in chilly and windy conditions could also test the technique of Indian batters, who love hitting through the line. The absence of Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry as part of New Zealand’s own workload management plan can also work to India’s advantage. The hosts have included Matt Fisher and Blair Tickner in the squad.
India have used 13 players in the first two games. For 15-year-old Sooryavanshi, these conditions will definitely go a long way in making him a better player in the future.
