After losing the three-match series opener, the hosts bounced back and registered a thrilling victory in a low-scoring second T20I in Lucknow. Both teams will now be focusing on sealing the series decider in Ahmedabad.
The spinners of both sides have done an excellent job, while batters have found it quite challenging to deal with tweakers. Teams would be aiming to rectify their mistakes and execute the set plans correctly.
Pitch report:
The track at the Narendra Modi Stadium is likely to offer decent support to both batters and bowlers. The bounce will help the pacers in the initial stage, while spinners can also leave their impact as the game progresses. In the nine T20Is played at this venue, teams batting first have won five, while four fixtures have been won by teams batting second.
Recent form:
- India: WLWLW
- New Zealand: LWTLNR (Last five matches; most recent first)
Probable XIs:
India: Ishan Kishan (wk), Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shivam Mavi, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal/Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Blair Tickner
Match Prediction:
Case 1
- India wins the toss and bowls first
- Powerplay score: 35-45
- New Zealand total: 160-170
Case 2
- New Zealand wins the toss and bowls first
- Powerplay score: 40-50
- India total: 170-180
Team batting second to win the contest.
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