It took them much longer than they would have liked but New Zealand finally got off the mark on their tour of India in the second ODI on Thursday which was good enough to level the series with three to play so there is everything to play for when the two sides go again in Mohali on Sunday.
Whoever wins the third match in Mohali will go 2-1 up in the series with two matches to play and it is a tough road back for the losers so this one is set up to be the most competitive contest since New Zealand landed in India.
India
You have to give plenty of credit to India even in defeat in the last match. It is clear they weren’t at their best but they looked beaten a couple of times but kept on fighting before narrowly going down by a few runs at the end. They will take a lot of confidence from the way they fought in that match for sure.
In many ways they can look back on that second game and just hold their hands up that they were beaten by a truly top class knock from Kane Williamson. That isn’t to say they don’t need to find a way to get rid of the Kiwi captain but it wasn’t as though India did too much wrong so they’ve no need to panic.
New Zealand
A first win on the tour will have delighted New Zealand but they will be both pleased and concerned at the same time. It will have given them a lot of pleasure to finally win a match in India but it would have concerned them that they weren’t particularly ruthless when they had their opponents on the ropes despite getting the job done in the end.
One positive for New Zealand apart from the win in Delhi was the fact that they have plenty more to give with the bat. They collapsed late on in their innings in Delhi so they can probably grind out another 25 runs or so which will have them competitive in most of their matches.
Team News
It looks like Rohit Sharma is fit to play despite looking injured when he finished his batting spell in Delhi. Suresh Raina has been confirmed as out again so India may name an unchanged side.
New Zealand could decide to do likewise but this track in Mohali usually has a little bit more in it for the seamers so that could bring Doug Bracewell and/or Jimmy Neesham back into the mix. Anton Devcich would be the obvious one to make way.
PCA Stadium
This will be the 23rd ODI to have been held on this ground. India have only played 13 matches here but they have an 8-5 winning record but New Zealand also have a positive record on the ground albeit from only three matches. Their record is two wins to one defeat.
This wicket is usually a good one for batting despite the large boundaries. The outfield here is usually lightning quick but there is pace and bounce in the track so all the bowlers are often interested. It should make for a good match.
Betting
Given that this wicket has a bit in it for the seamers I could forgive anyone who backed New Zealand in this match. I’m not backing them myself because they’ve just not convinced me enough over the two matches but they certainly have a live chance.
The bet I like here is in the sixes market where 9.5 looks a low line for this ground. This is the biggest ground in India and clearing the boundaries is no easy thing. New Zealand don’t concede many sixes with the quality of their bowling attack but they don’t hit too many either with their two really form batsmen – Tom Latham and Kane Williamson – not being known for being big hitters.
This match is about winning rather than being explosive and catching the eye and on a wicket which keeps the bowlers interested and a large ground I don’t think we’ll get anywhere near double figures for sixes.
Tips
WON – Back Under 9.5 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with William Hill
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