Hamilton: In a season of many firsts for the Indian cricket team, Rohit Sharma’s men will be aiming to become first among the equals to win a T20 International series in New Zealand when the two sides clash in the final match here, Sunday.
The past three months have been a memorable phase for the Indian cricket team, who won their first Test and bilateral ODI series in Australia followed by the biggest ODI series win in New Zealand.
A first T20 series victory in New Zealand will be the icing on the cake for the ‘Men in Blue’, who have far exceeded expectations during their three-month sojourn in this part of the world.
With the series locked at 1-1, there is everything to play for in the decider which promises to be a cracker of a contest on a ‘Super Sunday’ with a spicy Seddon Park pitch in the offing.
India will do well to remember the nightmare that they endured during the fourth ODI at this venue where they were shot out for 92 in the wake of some quality swing bowling from Trent Boult. However, the Indians made it clear that they are prepared come what may.
“We have played in Hamilton and there won’t be any surprise element as far as the pitch is concerned. Also having won the second game gives us confidence going into the final match,” left-arm speedster Khaleel Ahmed had said when asked about the Hamilton game.
“We have rectified some of our mistakes from the first T20 game and hopefully a few which are there will also be corrected,” Khaleel added.
India played the same XI in the first two games and in all likelihood, will maintain continuity unless there are some niggles.
Eyes will be on India’s stand in captain Rohit who is now the world’s top run-getter in T20 Internationals. He will like to better the 29-ball-50 of the previous match, which can well spell doom for the Black Caps.
For New Zealand, a better batting effort in the middle overs is what they would be looking for. There is every possibility of them including Martin Guptill in the side in place of opener Colin Munro.
Skipper Kane Williamson has endured a quiet limited overs series by his standards and senior batsman Ross Taylor has also blown hot and cold during the last three weeks.
Match Starts at 12:30 pm (IST)
PTI