Even if India makes it to the WTC Final - New Zealand will start as strong favorites in the Final against India.

[rangeelaraja]

 

NZ has always been a pain in the backside for us in major knockouts.  We hammered the 2 top teams Aus and RSA in 2000 ICC Championship to be outplayed by Kiwis in the finals.

 

They also knocked us out of the 2019 Semis and if not for the stupid rules "co-won" the 2019 WC as well.

 

They have a set of very very effective pacers in Wagner, Boult, Southee  - who can be unplayable in NZ conditions. England in early summer around June will be familiar conditions like home for the Kiwis.

 

Will India be able to get the Kiwi's off their back in a major game once and for all in the Finals ?

 

Edited February 25, 2021 by rangeelaraja

[Lone Wolf]

24 minutes ago, rangeelaraja said:

 

NZ has always been a pain in the backside for us in major knockouts.  We hammered the 2 top teams Aus and RSA in 2000 ICC Championship to be outplayed by Kiwis in the finals.

 

They also knocked us out of the 2019 Semis and if not for the stupid rules "co-won" the 2019 WC as well.

 

They have a set of very very effective pacers in Wagner, Boult, Southee  - who can be unplayable in NZ conditions. England in early summer around June will be familiar conditions like home for the Kiwis.

 

Will India be able to get the Kiwi's off their back in a major game once and for all in the Finals ?

 

They are a very methodological team & I don't think they most of the times have plan B.. We tend to be too timid against them for no reason.   We need to beat them with our natural flair bit like what we did in Gabba. 

If we manage to hold their seamers at bay for even 1 session..  It's game set & match. 

I predict it's going to be a low scoring thriller.  Jaddu & Pant need to be used carefully as they are likely going to be our only LHB in the side.. 

[Serpico]

yep, they have great depth in batting which has huge impact on the low scoring matches. plus kane is his career best form and they are playing a 2 test series in england just before the final. It will be a very special win if India achieves it

[rangeelaraja]

Horses for courses. We must play only one spinner - Jaddu and drop Ashwin.

Lords has never been great for spinners historically and around June the the pitches do more compared to Aug.

 

Shami has totally sucked in 8 test matches in England avg almost 48 a wicket.

 

I would play Siraj in place of him.  5 bowlers would be - Bhuvi( if fit),  Bumrah, Ishant, Siraj and Jaddu as all-rounder.

 

Bhuvi can bat as well - crucial in close games.  So having batting till 8 is covered. 

 

I just don' think Rohit has the technique for red ball in English conditions as an opener ( only major flaw in his game) .

 

I would save him for the middle order.

 

We need a very very solid Top 3 to absorb the pressure of NZ seamers with the new ball.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[New guy]

We need to plan really well and pick horses for courses, instead of just going with favorites 

[Majestic]

We have Rohit. He will smash the kiwi bowlers.

[SK_IH]

Although zero fcuks given about WTC but our fragile batting lineup against Boult-Southee in swinging conditions is not a great contest. 

[rangeelaraja]

9 minutes ago, SK_IH said:

Although zero fcuks given about WTC but our fragile batting lineup against Boult-Southee in swinging conditions is not a great contest. 

 

Wagner is as dangerous.  Very underrated.

[nevada]

Too early to discuss this IMO. The series against England isn't over yet. 

[Adamant]

15 minutes ago, Majestic said:

We have Rohit. He will smash the kiwi bowlers.

The way he is batting these days this is surely possible. 

[neel roy]

Only reason they start favourites is they play 2 tests,one in Lords before the WTC. Infact 4 days after second test finishes we have the WTC. They will be well prepared and India will come after playing long IPL season

Edited February 25, 2021 by neel roy

[Lone Wolf]

5 minutes ago, neel roy said:

Only reason thet start favourites is they play 2 tests,one in Lords before the WTC. Infact 4 days after second test finished we have the WTC. They will be well prepared and India will come after playing long IPL season

At max if BCCI does things pro actively they can arrange 1 warm up fixture vs India A just before the final.  It'll be good..  Or heck even arrange a lone test against Ireland with zero or couple days quarantine. 

Several of Kiwi & Eng players could miss their first test if their team reaches the playoffs.  It's gonna be tight for everyone but NZ will be full strength by 2nd test for sure.