In form of India vs New Zealand ODI Series As it reaches its thrilling climax, the focus turns to the high-stakes decider in Indore. After India’s impressive start in Vadodara, the Black Caps bounced back in Rajkot to level the series 1-1, turning the final match into a virtual knockout. With the series at stake, the team management is facing a big selection dilemma between sticking to tried and tested players or inducting new players. great opening batsman Sunil Gavaskar Considering the situation, it has been suggested that the pressure of concluding the series will dictate India’s strategy. Holkar Stadium is known for its high-scoring games, but the fear of losing the home series may force India to play it safe.
Sunil Gavaskar expressed surprise at New Zealand’s easy victory
After India’s unexpected seven-wicket defeat in Rajkot, Gavaskar expressed his surprise at how easily New Zealand chased down the target. He said that the sluggish nature of the pitch should have helped the Indian bowlers, but darryl mitchell‘‘s brilliant century destroyed those expectations.
Gavaskar stressed that since the series is now tied, the Indian team has lost ample scope to test its bench strength. The luxury of trying out new combinations is gone, and the focus must now be solely on capturing the trophy. Gavaskar highlighted that the pressure will be immense in Indore, as New Zealand have never won an ODI series in India and will smell blood. The third ODI is no longer a testing game for India; It is a game for survival.
“I was surprised by how easily New Zealand got past the line because, before we started batting, everyone thought India would be able to use the slow pace of the pitch. Their bowlers, not just the spinners, but all of them, using the slow pace of the surface well, felt like India would be able to restrict New Zealand to around 260 or 270. I thought it would be an easy win for India.” NDTV Sports quoted Gavaskar as saying.
Gavaskar named the Indian player who will not play in Indore ODI against New Zealand
The most significant disadvantage of this must-win approach is likely to be Yashasvi JaiswalThe explosive southpaw who many fans were eager to see in the playing eleven. Despite being in incredible form across all formats, Jaiswal has found himself on the sidelines as the team favors the regular opening pair.
Gavaskar said that if India had won the series in Rajkot, Jaiswal would definitely have got a chance to showcase his white-ball prowess in Indore. However, with the series tied at 1-1, the veteran believes the management cannot take any risks by leaving out an established performer. This situation leaves Jaiswal, a player considered by many to be the cornerstone of the ODI team’s future, waiting in the wings once again.
“If India had won this match, they would have had the freedom to experiment a bit. Perhaps they would have given a chance to players who have not played yet. A player like Jaiswal could have also got a chance. All this could have been possible, but now they cannot take any risks. They will have to play with their best eleven,” Gavaskar said. Gavaskar concluded.
Also read: Irfan Pathan told why Axar Patel is ahead of Ravindra Jadeja in ODI?
