Do or Die for Team India

India will take on New Zealand in their second match of the World T20 Series 2021 campaign. After getting thumped by Pakistan in their opening encounter, the men in blue will look to get their campaign back on track with a solid win over the Kiwis. However, it wouldn’t be easy for Virat Kohli and his troops. The black caps have been an unpleasant opposition for team India in major tournaments. Time and time again Williamson’s men have proved that they are one of the toughest rivals for us in grand events. Be it the World Test Series Championship in 2021 or the 50 over World Series in 2019. New Zealand have always been one step ahead of the former champions. Ahead of this exhilarating tie let us have a look at how India can stop the New Zealand juggernaut

Add some substance to the spin department: The pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium has traditionally been generous to the spinners. The slow and low track at times can turn 2-5 degrees after pitching. A quality off spinner like R.Ashwin can come in handy in this match. Varun Chakravarthy was nowhere close to his best in the last game against Pakistan but we would still like him to see him bowl alongside Ashwin in this game. The duo can ask some serious questions to the Kiwi batsmen. Ashwin can come in as a replacement for Mohommad Shami or Bhuveneshwar Kumar. 

Batsmen need to show better application: Apart from Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant no other batsmen made any significant contribution. Their dismissals came at the wrong time which caused tremendous pressure at the batsman coming in. The Indian batters need to up their game and display better application to put up a fight. The key as a batsmen is to be cautious during the initial phase, seeing off the new ball and once set they can freely express themselves. 

Ishan Kishan > Hardik Pandya: Hardik Pandya is not cent percent fit and risking him in this crucial tie would be absolute madness. He hasn’t had the best of 2021 with the bat and we have hardly seen him bowl this year. Ishan Kishan could prove to be an ideal replacement for an out of form Pandya. Kishan is an explosive batsmen and having him in the side could bolster the shaky batting lineup. Not to forget the 23 year old is in sublime touch and is coming on the back of a whirlwind 72 in the warmups.