Before the 2nd ODI, let us take a look at key matchups.
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Following their stunning victory in the first ODI, Team India will face New Zealand in the second ODI in Raipur on the 21st of January, Friday. The hosts were tested to their limits after Michael Bracewell’s spectacular effort nearly pulled off a remarkable chase for the Kiwis. After winning a last-over thriller in Hyderabad, the Men in Blue will try to wrap up the series with a win in the second ODI. Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, will be aware of the opposition after they demonstrated their credentials as the top-ranked ODI squad in the series opener. While another trophy is now within reach, India’s primary focus will be on assembling the best World Cup squad possible. In the absence of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, the team management would like to see Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav spend more time in the middle. As things stand, these two appear to be the top five backups. If they do not seize their opportunity, that scenario may change by the time the World Cup arrives.
In the first ODI between the two nations, Indian opener Shubman Gill became the sixth and youngest Indian player to record a double century in ODIs. He also became the fastest Indian to 1000 runs in the 50-over format. While Gill shone with the bat, Mohammed Siraj maintained his dominance with the ball, taking his second four-for in ODIs. To retain the winning combination, the Indian team is unlikely to make any changes for the second game. A double-century is rarely followed by another major hit. Is Shubman Gill capable of breaking the cycle? You wouldn’t hold that against him because his three previous scores prior to the double tonne were 116, 21 and 70. While India’s batting lineup appears to be quite formidable at the present, the spotlight will be on their bowlers. They let Dasun Shanaka score huge when rallying alongside the tail a few days earlier. And in Hyderabad, they were once again on top but couldn’t get that decisive wicket for a long time, putting them in the driver’s seat. Before the 2nd ODI, let us take a look at key matchups.
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Santner has never dismissed Gill in ODIs till now. Even in the last game, Gill dominated Santner. If Gill can do the same in the 2nd ODI, then NZ would be under extreme pressure because other than Santner their bowling attack does not have much experience.
ODI
| Year | Runs | Balls | Outs | Dots | 4s | 6s | SR | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 18 | 20 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 90.0 | – |
| 2023 | 42 | 30 | 0 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 140.0 | – |
| Total | 60 | 50 | 0 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 120.0 | – |
Pandya seems to struggle against back-of-length balls. But despite the fact Pandya has been up against Ferguson on quite a few occasions in ODIs, he has not been dismissed even once by New Zealand’s fastest pacer. NZ would hope that Ferguson can get Pandya out in the 2nd ODI.
ODI
| Year | Runs | Balls | Outs | Dots | 4s | 6s | SR | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 42.9 | – |
| 2023 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 162.5 | – |
| Total | 19 | 22 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 86.4 | – |
Thakur bowls well in his first spell but then after that goes for runs. This is exactly what has happened with him against NZ in the last two ODIs he has played against them. Latham went berserk against him last year, so it would be really important for Thakur to step up this time.
ODI
| Year | Runs | Balls | Outs | Dots | 4s | 6s | SR | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 23 | 17 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 135.3 | – |
| 2022 | 35 | 15 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 233.3 | – |
| 2023 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 53.8 | – |
| Total | 65 | 45 | 0 | 21 | 10 | 2 | 144.4 | – |
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