Published: Oct 20, 2016, 11:30 AM (IST)
Edited: Oct 20, 2016, 03:13 PM (IST)
Hosts India take on visitors New Zealand in the second of the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series, at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi on Thursday, as the live cricket streaming of the match is available on Hotstar, while the live telecast of the match would be available on Star Sports 1, Star Sports HD1, along with Hindi commentary on Star Sports 3, and Star Sports HD3. India currently lead the five match series by 1-0, following an emphatic over the visiting Kiwis by six wickets in the opening ODI, while they aim to notch up another win and stay in the driver’s seat, as they look to dominate the Kiwis again. Full Cricket Scorecard, India vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI
It was a picturesque location and a clinical performance by the home side which led India to their 108th win under MS Dhoni in their 900th ODI at Dharamsala. Winning the toss, Dhoni invited the BlackCaps to bat first and their inexperienced bunch of bowlers did a commendable job. Playing his first ODI after a promising start in Twenty20 (T20Is), Hardik Pandya was up for the challenge as he struck in his early overs to remove Martin Guptill while Umesh Yadav dismissed Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor from the other end. There was no hope for New Zealand who looked erratic, played some reckless shots while some of them fell to a peach-off-a-delivery, especially Taylor. Full Cricket Updates, India vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI
New Zealand’s batsmen will have to apply themselves at the crease for longer periods to make the series interesting. They were guilty of playing early and displayed lack of concentration. Williamson may not change the line-up a lot but will require more responsibility in the middle from his batsmen. A line-up comprising of Guptill, Taylor, Williamson, Luke Ronchi, Corey Anderson, Jimmy Neesham and Latham can be deadly for any side but they need to step up too. New Zealand bat deep and will be confident of returning to their very best in the upcoming matches but Kotla’s track will be another test for them. The track usually in Kotla assists the batsmen at first but turns and remains slow in the second innings. Williamson, who is burdened with responsibilities, will again be their main batsman on such a track and a big knock may just be round the corner for him. India vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI, Preview & Predictions
Raina, who was supposed to make a comeback into the ODI squad after a year’s gap, will have to wait for some more time as he is yet to recover fully from flu. His place is also under scanner with Jadhav, Pandya, Pandey and Rahul in the scheme of things. The rest of India’s line-up should be the same with three spinners in form of Akshar Patel, Mishra and Raina.
New Zealand may contemplate bringing in Trent Boult or Matt Henry to the side. Doug Bracewell may sit out for either of them as New Zealand already have three all-rounders in form of Mitchell Santner, Anderson and Neesham. New Zealand can spring a big surprise by playing Anton Devcich, an opener and left-arm orthodox spinner, who is unknown to the Indians. This ploy may fall flat but if it works, it will be a master stroke from the skipper Williamson.
