India have won seven out of their last eight T20Is, and four on the trot. Another win would present them a great chance to win the series: something they haven’t been able to achieve in their previous two attempts in New Zealand.
The match between India and New Zealand begins today.
Jasprit Bumrah, India’s premier pacer, twisted his ankle in his final over in the first T20I on Friday and received on-field treatment immediately. However, he was able to bowl out the remaining four deliveries, which are positive signs for the visitors ahead of the second game.
New Zealand, on the other hand, might consider bringing in Daryl Mitchell or Scott Kuggeleijn in place of Tim Southee or Blair Tickner, both of whom were taken to the cleaners in Auckland. The hosts made changes to their batting order in the first game, pushing Ross Taylor to No.5 to lend stability to the lower order. The ploy worked, as he slammed an unbeaten 54 in just 27 balls.
Whether they persist with the same strategy would depend on the kind of start they get from their openers, who looked at their destructive best on Friday.
India claimed the opening fixture of the five-match series with a six-wicket win, thanks to a solid batting performance. KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer were all among the runs, as the visitors chased down the 204-run target with an over to spare. Iyer, in particular, was in excellent touch, slamming an unbeaten 58 in double quick time to take India home.
