Thiruvananthapuram: When he had given up all forms of captaincy, Mahendra Singh Dhoni had said that he did so to enjoy his batting. However, at present it is batting in the T20 format of the game which has come under scanner. Experts have already been critical of MSD’s performances with some even going to the extent of saying that he should give up his place to a deserving youngster.
Well that may not happen here when India face New Zealand in the T20 series decider with both pride and prestige at stake. But there have certainly been questions as to what would be the perfect spot for Dhoni to walk into the middle. Irrespective of the fact that he got 49 off 37 balls in the last game at Rajkot, his slow start (15 off 17 balls) took the game away from India. His successor Virat Kohli tried to up the ante under pressure and perished. And even though, Dhoni tried to make some amends (34 off the next 20 balls), the game by then had slipped away from India’s grasps.
In short the hosts can’t simply bank on Dhoni’s pyrotechnics anymore. They have to have a ‘Plan B’ ready as the Kiwis have proved that they are not any pushovers. However, all these equations may not come to play with rain gods threatening to interrupt proceedings and there is every possible of a washout with the met office here predicting heavy showers during the course of the day.
Lots are at stake for the Kiwis at well. They have been displaced by Pakistan at the top of the T20 rankings and they can wrest it back, if they beat India here Tuesday. They have the firepower as Colin Munro demonstrated in the last game. But then it’s not Munro alone, who has the capacity to take the battle to the Indians. There are Tom Bruce, skipper Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls and Colin de Grandhomme – all who can hit the ball a fair distance. However, it is Munro who holds the maximum threat.
In bowling, leg-spinner Ish Sodhi has been a revelation after the opening spells of Trent Boult and Tim South. If India are to dominate, someone will have to really attack Sodhi, otherwise, his four overs will go a long way in determining the fate of the game.
The Indian fielding will also have to go up a notch or two. In this format of the game latching on to half chances is of utmost importance and the Indians have been found wanting in that department. Sources indicated that India may play an extra batsman in place of pacer Mohammed Siraj. If that happens, Manish Pandey will get a look in and he certainly has the ability to raise the standard for fielding by a notch or two.
Overall, the Indians will have to be at their very best, if they are to win their sixth T20 series on the trot. If rain permits that though.
Agencies