India faces-off with New Zealand here on Wednesday in what will virtually be a semifinal of the Micromax ODI tri-series. The contest will test the nerve of both sides.
Indeed, the stakes are high. Can India pick itself up mentally after the mauling at the hands of Sri Lanka on Sunday?
New Zealand will enter the match with a psychological edge after routing India in the opening match of the tournament. In that duel, Daryl Tuffey & Co. bundled out India for 88.
The weather could also intervene. A cloud cover persists and the skies could well open up. If the match cannot be completed either on Wednesday or the reserve day, New Zealand (seven points from three games) will progress to the final ahead of India (five from three).
Virender Sehwag holds the key to the Indian fortunes. If he fires, the opposition game-plan will be disrupted.
Rate of scoring
His rate of scoring provides the side momentum, makes batting easier for his partner in the middle and lifts the confidence levels in the dressing room. Sehwag also dents the opponent mentally; the focus of the bowling side shifts from taking wickets to stemming the flow of runs.
In other words, the attack moves from an aggressive mind-set to a more defensive one. This switch was evident when Sehwag cut loose against Sri Lanka in India's second match. It looked a totally different ball game.
Despite lacking in footwork, Sehwag has this freakish ability to strike the ball with timing and precision. Many of the other Indian batsmen, who have displayed limited feet movement here, are not similarly gifted. What works for Sehwag, might prove disastrous for them.
The Kiwi pacemen, disciplined and crafty, are bound to probe the Indian line-up with deliveries in the corridor. They will mix their length — the short-pitched and the short-of-a-good-length deliveries will be followed by the fuller length balls — to suck the Indian batsmen into false strokes with the slip cordon waiting.
The match is likely to be played on a fresh wicket; the track could provide both movement and bounce to the bowlers.
Greater application
While technical changes to cope with these conditions cannot be brought about overnight, the young Indian batsmen can at least display greater application. There have been occasions when heart and character have masked faulty methods.
Dinesh Karthik has been unlucky with two decisions in this tournament. But then, his confidence levels might be low and India could well opt for Virat Kohli as Sehwag's opening partner. Kohli failed to open his account against Sri Lanka in his only outing for so in the tournament but can be a feisty customer.
Karthik could take Rohit Sharma's slot in the middle-order. Rohit has appeared hopelessly out of sorts so far. If the think-tank continues with Rohit, he is a fortunate man.
The other middle-order option in the side, the left-handed Sourabh Tiwary, is unlikely to be blooded in such a crucial game.
Glimpses of form
On the slightly brighter side, Yuvraj Singh showed glimpses of form in the last match. This left-hander can be influential. And paceman Ishant Sharma appears to be rediscovering his rhythm.
Unless the Indian batting gets its act together, it does not really matter whether the side bats first or chases. The need is to build partnerships.
The Kiwis will fancy their chances. Opener Martin Guptill — a vital player at the top of the order — has recovered from fitness concerns. The young Kane Williamson has a niggle in his biceps but his absence will not worry New Zealand.
The Kiwi batting line-up has chinks as well. Praveen Kumar and Aashish Nehra made early inroads in the tournament opener before skipper Ross Taylor and the experienced Scott Styris orchestrated a major recovery.
Taylor oozes class but could be vulnerable to deliveries straightening at him — he tends to shuffle across on occasions.
New Zealand is short of specialist batting strength but men such as Jacob Oram, Grant Elliott and Styris — effective seamers too in these conditions — lend weight and balance to the side.
Dhoni's men face a serious challenge.
The teams (from): India: M.S Dhoni (capt), V. Sehwag, V. Kohli, S. Raina, Y. Singh, D. Karthik, R. Jadeja, P. Ojha, P. Kumar, I. Sharma, A. Nehra,R. Sharma, Abhimanyu Mithun, R, Ashwin, S. Tiwary, M. Patel.
New Zealand (from): R. Taylor (captain), M. Guptill, B.J. Watling, S. Styris, J. Oram, G. Elliott, G. Hopkins, K. Mills, N. McCullum, D.Tuffey, A. McKay, T. Southee, J. Patel, P. Ingram, K. Willaimson.
Play starts at 2.30 pm IST.
