 India are 4-0 up in the five match series and there is not much left to play.
In fourth ODI New Zealand easily displayed their best batting performance
for some time as they piled up 315, only to see Yusuf Pathan and company chase
it down with five wickets and more than one over to spare. Finally their batting
clicked, but bowling failed for Kiwis.
Click for Live Score Card of India Vs New
Zealand
India were missing some big names in the game, as they have been making changes
to architect their World Cup squad.
India would be welcoming the return of Yusuf Pathan, whose explosive
century led them home in the previous game. The game at Chennai on Friday is
expected to bear similar conditions; it is a day night game with pitch offering
movement at the start of the game but generally being batting friendly. India
may yet unfold some changes for the last game of series, hoping to uncover potential
players like S. Tiwary who played a calm innings alongside Yusuf.
India would hope than their bowlers especially Zaheer Khan and Ashish
Nehra would play better than the last game. India would cherish a 5-0 whitewash
before taking on the South Africans in a tough series. Parhtiv Patel made a
crucial half century and laid the foundation on his return, he would be looking
for other opportunities like this to book World Cup berth.
India have won all five recent games
New Zealand are in disarray to say the least. They were in a winning position
in the last game but threw it away to some poor fielding and ordinary bowling.
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said before the last game that his
side are anxious to end the losing streak.
The Test series was promising for them but their problems in this format continue.
It is not the ideal time for having worries in limited overs format. Selection
troubles are also a worry, Kane Williamson was dropped from the last game, Ross
Taylor has failed to make an impact.
New Zealand would want their bowlers to control their economy rate in Chennai.
Five of the six bowlers used went for 6.40 RPO or more at Bangalore, with the
conditions expected to be similar, Kiwi bowlers know that they have to bowl
way better to win. Subcontinent has been a nightmare for them, they would be
desperate to go home and take Pakistan on at the end of December. There they
would hope to gain some momentum for the World Cup
New Zealand have lost all five recent games
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