Despite having already sealed the series 3-1, India were in experimental mode in the fourth T20I at Visakhapatnam. The team opted to play five specialist bowlers, keeping all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube out of the bowling plans.
Guwahati has been confirmed as one of the venues for the India–New Zealand white-ball series early next year, and will host a T20I as part of the eight-match limited-overs series.
Twelve years of waiting, a campaign built on resilience, and one final hurdle against a team that has so often been India’s Achilles' heel—the New Zealand challenge. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Rohit Sharma’s men step onto the field at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, seeking to reclaim the ICC Champions Trophy and rewrite history.
Already in Champions Trophy SF, India, NZ face off in final Group stage contest
New Zealand, meanwhile, regained the fourth spot they lost to South Africa after the Proteas whitewashed Bangladesh earlier this week.
KL Rahul’s forgettable outing in the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru won’t threaten his place in the side, at least for the second Test in Pune, as head coach Gautam Gambhir firmly backed the Karnataka right-hander on the eve of the must-win match.
Shaken by an unexpected loss on home turf in the series opener in Bengaluru, a star-studded India will be looking to press the reset button and level the series when they take on a confident New Zealand, eyeing a shot at history in the second Test, starting here Thursday.
Kane Williamson, former skipper and New Zealand’s most-experienced batter, is set to miss the second Test against India, starting October 24 in Pune as he is “yet to be 100 percent fit” after sustaining a groin strain.
India add Washington Sundar to squad for remainder of New Zealand series
Star batter Virat Kohli on Friday became the fourth Indian to scale the 9000-run peak in the longest format of the game. He achieved the feat during the third day of the opening Test against New Zealand here on Friday.
