India vs New Zealand Preview: TSR presents Probable Playing 11,Toss prediction and Weather report for Match 18 of Cricket World Cup 2019.
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Trent Bridge, Nottingham- one of the very few venues where rain hasn’t played a spoilsport in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 journey so far. It’s unfortunate for World Cricket’s biggest event to have as many as 3 matches washed out due to rain.
ALSO READ: India vs New Zealand ODI records
Such has been the case that before talking about the drooling expected battles between top players from each team, we are forced to have a look at the expected weather forecast, as England is experiencing double the amount of average of rainfall it does in the month of June. The 18th match of the ongoing World Cup between India and New Zealand might also be marred by the omen of weather Gods, with 90% chances of rain at Trent Bridge, in Mottingham tomorrow.
However, with the hope that we might have a fierce contest between the No.1 and No.2 sides in the World Cup so far, we bring before you the match preview of the India vs New Zealand match which will be played on June 13 at The Trent Bridge.
India vs New Zealand Preview
Form Guide
India have been clinical in the their two opening matches of the World Cup so far with resounding wins against South Africa and Australia by 6 wickets and 36 runs respectively.
However, they have been handed their biggest possible blow as their centurion and ‘Man of the Match’ from the previous encounter, Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out for 3 weeks due to an hairline fracture on the left thumb.
Their batting looks in phenomenal touch with the famous Top 3 scoring 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries apiece. Both Bumrah and Bhuvaneshwar have delivered what was expected of them in the two matches. To be really critical, it is the two wrist spinners- Kuldeep and Yuzvendra who were (rarely) not able to pick up even a single wicket in the middle-overs the previous match.
If India have won both their World Cup matches, the table-toppers presently- New Zealand have won their opening 3 matches of the World Cup. It is another matter that all their wins have come against comparatively weaker teams, but a win is a win nonetheless. They will for sure go through testing times against higher ranked teams, and India will be first to give them that taste.
Their pace bowlers- Matt Henry, Trent Boult, and Lockie Ferguson have exhibited top-notch bowling effort so far and have not let the absence of their experienced bowler- Tim Southee being felt even a bit.
All their batsmen have at least a half-century under their belt, and skipper Kane Williamson, along with the old war-horse- Ross Taylor have continued with their purple patch in the World Cup so far.
Probable Playing 11
With Dhawan out, and KL Rahul likely to patch-up with Rohit Sharma in the opening slot, it is most likely that the experience of the wicket-keeper batsman, Dinesh Karthik will seal the no.4 spot at least for the match against New Zealand tomorrow.
Also, considering that India have not yet found a bankable fifth bowler, with Hardik Pandya proving to be expensive in both the matches, all-rounder Vijay Shankar might also prove to be a decent choice as he can chip in with 4-5 overs, in case Kedar Jadhav fails to inspire confidence again.
On the other hand, with Tim Southee back in form, he would rather be considered against a stronger opposition like India. Although it will be harsh on both Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry as both have performed exceptionally well in the World Cup so far.
India Playing 11
Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (Wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand Playing 11
Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee/ Matt Henry, Trent Boult
Pitch and Weather Report
The wicket at Trent Bridge has always been a batting paradise although overcast conditions throughout will assist the pacers with the new ball. But, once the batsmen settles in, they will for sure enjoy the ball coming on to the bat.
The weather is expected to be way too cold and chilly with 13 degree Celsius expected temperature. As mentioned earlier, there are 90% chances of rainfall at Nottingham tomorrow.
Toss Prediction
The overcast conditions might allure the captains to bowl first, but at Trent Bridge it will be handy if teams bat first and put a healthy total on the board to defend.
