Must-win match against NZ today

Dubai, October 30

The Indian cricket team faces the real danger of getting knocked out early from the T20 World Cup when it takes on New Zealand in a crucial Group 2 match of the tournament on Sunday evening.

The top two teams from the two six-team groups will qualify for the semifinals and Pakistan, with three wins in three matches, are virtually assured of topping Group 2. The contest for the second place in the group is primarily between India and New Zealand. Since both are expected to win their remaining matches against Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia, Sunday’s match is seen as a virtual quarterfinal.

Currently placed fifth in the group, India must win all of their four remaining matches. The task won’t be easy as New Zealand are a tricky opponent — the two teams have met twice at T20 World Cups with India losing both times, in 2007 and 2016.

India lost early wickets during the defeat to Pakistan last Sunday, and New Zealand too possess an attack that can swing the ball and trouble India’s openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, whose technique against the moving ball can be shaky. New Zealand’s new-ball attack of Tim Southee and Trent Boult is expected to test India’s top order. With the struggles of Rohit and Rahul against left-arm pacers obvious, Boult presents a huge challenge.

Virat Kohli has been troubled by Boult in the past, having been dismissed by him 10 times in international cricket. For Sunday’s game, Kohli needs to take a call on whether to field Hardik Pandya, whose lack of bowling fitness has been exposed. His batting form too has been quite ordinary. — TNS/Agencies