Leading up to the fifth T20I in Thiruvananthapuram, nothing has changed as far as India is concerned, despite the defeat in the last game.
For the fifth game, India’s final international before the T20I World Cup, they are expected to play their first XI. India has been on a great track for a year or so in the T20I format. Now, even Suryakumay Yadav has come back to form. Their injured first-choice players like Washington Sundar and Tilak Verma will be ready to play beforethe World Cup starts. This team has a winning percentage of 80; the next best is 70 from Australia.
“It is his plan, what he wants to do once he goes in,” batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said before the fifth T20I. “But we definitely discuss what pace the bowler has, what areas they are trying to bowl at him, and at that pace, what would be the better option if he doesn’t go fine towards point… He does think, he does speak to Gautam, he does speak to me, and even Surya.”
Matt Henry, one of the best bowlers in the current New Zealand side, felt that the learning curve for his team might have been steep in this series. However, it will hold them in good spirits.
Have a look at what he said after the game.
“It’s never nice being put under that kind of pressure,” said Henry, “but we knew that the long-term picture was getting prepared for a World Cup, and how do you put teams under pressure when they’re flying like that?”
“So, it was all positive gains from our point of view, and we’re just really pleased that the guys could still stay confident going into that last game. I think that is a true testament of character of the group.”
The last match turned out to be a turning point for New Zealand. They showed a kind of intent required for modern-day T20I cricket. They’ve understood how the cricket is evolving with both bat and ball. The return of Finn Allen is great for them. Finn’s partnership with in-form Tim Seifert will be one to watch as New Zealand will look to compete with full firepower in the last game.
In this long T20I series, the momentum is up for grabs in the final game. Both teams will look to perfect their combinations before the World Cup.
