×

India vs New Zealand, 3rd Test: Visitors should make Martin Guptill bat at No. 6 and try Luke Ronchi as opener

There are few tactical changes, which New Zealand can make at the top and get some runs on the board.

Related articles

LIVE Cricket Score, india vs New Zealand, india vs New Zealand live score, ind vs nz 3rd test, ind vs nz live score, india vs New Zealand live streaming, India Vs New Zealand Highlights, India Zealand Indore
Martin Guptill (left) and Luke Ronchi. (Courtesy: Getty Images)

New Zealand have had a torrid time in the three-match Test series so far against India. They have already surrendered the series by losing the first two Tests at Kanpur and Kolkata but have a final chance in the third encounter at Indore to battle for pride. One can expect them to come out all guns blazing as they have nothing to lose and end the series on a high. With India bolstering with confidence, New Zealand will have a task in hand in getting the better of hosts. It’s difficult but not impossible as New Zealand have enough firepower to create an upset and walk away with glory. They need to make certain amends in the line-up, which can well turn out to be instrumental and help them put a fight.

New Zealand suffered from many injuries, that did hamper their progress, and they were left with no choice but to count on Martin Guptill as the opener. There are few tactical changes, which they can make at the top and get some runs on the board. New Zealanders opener Guptill has looked bereft of oomph against the Indian bowlers at the top and has failed to get a big score in the series so far. His failure at the top is hurting New Zealand massively as a good start is like a gold for any team in any format. And New Zealand have failed to get so. Runs from the top-order puts the opposition under fire, which is an added advantage in a format like Test cricket. The role of a top-order batsman is to do is bid time against the new ball and help it wear out, which eases the life of the rest of the batting order.

[read-also]181602,532877,532289[/read-also]

Guptill has not been able to do so and the middle-order has been exposed early due to his early kill at the top. His last four innings in the ongoing series so far reads 21,0,13,24. He has only garnered 58 runs in last two tests, which pretty much speaks about his form. He hasn’t got going with the bat and needs to step down in the batting order and face the new ball. He is a stroke-maker and can clear the boundary at will. If he bats lower down the order, he will not have much pressure and can back his natural instincts and keep attacking. His prowess with the white ball is well-known but Test cricket is a different ball game altogether. It demands precision and accuracy, something which Adam Gilchrist did well for Australia while batting in the lower middle order.

The field is not always spread in a Test match as the fielding team is looking to attack and eyeing for a wicket. Guptill has a knack of taking on the in field and with spinners being India’s primary weapon, he can certainly trust his abilities. Though, one may say that he might struggle as the ball will get slower but it’s worth a shot as Guptill is anyway struggling at top with New Zealand running out of options, this could be a good bet. His success will help him rediscover his mojo and regain confidence. It is often said by the pundits and probably one of the basic rules in cricket, that when a batsman is struggling at the top, he should come down the order and face the old ball. It makes total sense to pull the maverick right-hander at six and give him full licence to play his natural attacking game.

[read-also]532635,532051[/read-also]

On the other hand, Luke Ronchi has looked more confident and has done a comparatively better job with the bat in hand in taxing Indian conditions. Ronchi has shown enough mettle and resistance in the series so far. His application has been good and played a memorable innings in the first Test. Ronchi looked more comfortable against both spin and pace. Ronchi’s short selection was better and played his shots whenever the ball was pitched in his zone. He looks in form and has got the starts on every occasion. It would make a lot of sense to push Ronchi up the order and let him take all the time to place his innings. Not to forget, Ronchi also smashed a scintillating ton in the Tour Match while opening the batting. His success at the top is a testament to his ability to succeed against the new ball. And New Zealand have nothing to lose in that sense as Guptill has anyway struggled to score runs at the top.

If Ronchi manages to get runs at the top and compliment Tom Latham, who has been in good form, New Zealand will certainly find themselves in a good position. This will ease off the pressure from the middle-order and put the Indian bowlers under pressure. Another change, which New Zealand can make is elevate BJ Watling in the batting order. He has been wasted at that position and has shown enough confidence to play against quality spin. He is a quality player and his footwork was up to the mark and made good use of the crease as well. If New Zealand manages to even save this Test it will rejuvenate their confidence for the One-Day International (ODI) series, which starts soon. Or else, they will have a huge mountain to climb as they take on hosts.

Few changes are expected ahead of the game and if New Zealand are eyeing for some glory, they need to reassess their approach at the earliest. As of now, all eyes are set on Indore as the third Test unfolds on Saturday.

(Suraj Choudhari is a reporter with Criclife and CricketCountry. He is an avid follower of the game, and plays the sport at club level. He has a radical understanding about the subtle nuances and intricacies of cricket, and tries to express it through paper and pen.)

trending this week