In the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup, the Virat Kohli led Indian team is looking to break the ‘Kiwi Curse’ in the must-win game. While arch-rivals like Pakistan and Australia have been the cause of Indian team, the New Zealand team has remained a dark horse in ICC tournaments. The Kane Williamson led team has in the past faced India twice in ICC T20 world cup with an unbeaten 2-0 record. Further, team India has played the Kiwis 16 times where the Kiwis bested India 8 times while India won 6 matches. With all the stats against it, India will also have the pressure of registering a victory anyhow to remain in the championship.
Background
There’s something about the New Zealand men’s cricket team that has challenged the toughest of opposition, and even brought them to knee. The black caps have somehow consistently showed up at the right place, at the right time, with the right team combinations to win or come inches close to winning an ICC tournament.
The New Zealand cricket team were the finalists of the last two ODI World Cup, once beaten by Australia in 2015 and then by England in 2019. They also won the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship, besting the best Test cricketing side in the world – India.
And now, it’s the time for T20. New Zealand has somehow missed the mark and has never made it to the final.
The Facts of the Matter
A million hearts will be beating fast and billions of eyes will be chasing every move of every Indian player on Sunday as the team takes on New Zealand. With Pakistan already sitting comfortably on the top of the table thanks to its 3 back-to-back victories, India will be in a must-win situation on Sunday. Both the team have endured a loss from Pakistan which somehow looks the most lethal in this tournament.
Ahead of the preview, let’s look at the India VS New Zealand head-to-head statistical comparison.
Ind VS NZ: T20 Game Head-to-Head
The two cricketing giants have in the past locked horns with each other on 16 separate occasions in T20 internationals. The win percentage of New Zealand is at 56.25% as it has won 8 of the 16 games while India has won 6 games. The remaining 2 games were tied. It should be noted that this is the best win percentage of any team against India in T20 format.
However, in crucial ICC tournaments, New Zealand has bested India when it mattered the most. India was beaten by New Zealand in 2016 at the T20 World Cup, similarly in the 2019 ODI World Cup, New Zealand defeated India and further, knocked them out of the competition. And lastly, but not leastly, India endured a painful loss at the World Test Championship final this year.
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Ind VS NZ: Team India
When it comes to India, the middle order continues on being the team’s Achille’s heels. Except Virat Kohli, no player looked in his element in the first game. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja must fire if they are sent to the crease early. Hardik Pandya’s lack of form is still an issue. If he’s not selected for the encounter with New Zealand, the team may face issues when it comes to having a sixth bowler.
Ind VS NZ: Team New Zealand
In their encounter against Pakistan, the bowling unit was the only saving grace for New Zealand. Although the team has found its mojo and remains to be a well-balanced team, the Kiwi batting unit has it work cut out.
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Predicted Team XI
India: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi and Trent Boult.
