India paced a run chase brilliantly to win the third ODI against New Zealand in Mohali on Sunday which means they head to the fourth game in Ranchi on Wednesday leading 2-1 in the series with two matches to play so they know another win here will secure the series.
New Zealand were made to rue missed chances in Mohali and now know they have to win back to back matches if they are to leave India with the series win. There hasn’t been a lot between the two sides though so they shouldn’t be ruled out just yet.
India
We were treated to yet another run chasing masterclass from Virat Kohli in the previous match and New Zealand will know if they are to level the series up again they will have to control what the star batsman does. Kohli was given good support by his captain MS Dhoni who came up the order in Mohali to help set up the run chase.
One concern for India could be that New Zealand are starting to put up significant totals with the bat and they even did it through their middle to lower order in Mohali. I’m sure Dhoni will remind his bowlers that they need to finish innings off better but conditions should suit them much more here.
New Zealand
It was a case of what might have been for New Zealand in the last game. Having put up a decent enough total and got rid of both openers they then dropped Virat Kohli on six and he went on to punish them with an unbeaten 154. If they are to level the series then they have to take all of their chances especially those which Kohli serves up.
The positives that have come out of the last game for the Kiwis are that their batsmen are looking more at home in these conditions and it took a majestic innings to beat them. If they can tighten up in the field and maintain their improvement with the bat they could yet force a decider.
Team News
India have confirmed that they will go into the final two ODIs with an unchanged squad and I would be surprised if they make any changes to the starting XI too. They might make changes should they seal the series but not for now.
New Zealand may decide not to make changes either although with this wicket likely to take a little more spin they have the option of bringing Anton Devcich back into the side with Jimmy Neesham vulnerable although his runs in Mohali are likely to keep him in.
JSCA International Stadium Complex
This will be the fourth ODI to have been staged on this ground. One of the previous three was a no result while India won the other two with pretty comfortable run chases. New Zealand will be playing on this ground for the first time and will need to get used to conditions pretty quickly.
This is a small sized ground and sixes can come regularly but the wicket is known to offer significant turn and given the state of the series it wouldn’t be a big surprise if this one offered a bit for the spinners. Even with that the batsmen should still get full value for their shots.
Betting
This series has got really interesting. New Zealand really will be ruing not getting their noses in front in Mohali because conditions here may not suit them as well. We know that they will give it their all though despite the conditions. I fancy India to win the game but they are no price to do so sadly.
Given that is the case I’m going to head to the sixes market here and although I went with the unders in Mohali I’m going with the overs here. There were bang on nine in Mohali on a much bigger ground than this one and given that New Zealand’s players are now showing their power and hitting big and the likes of Ross Taylor and Jimmy Neesham look back in form I’m expecting the sixes to flow here.
A smaller ground and everything on the line should lead to plenty of big hits so this line of 9.5 doesn’t look high enough to me this time.
Tips
Back 10 or more sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
Back it here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016
