The India New Zealand T20 World Cup warm-up is the prism in which both teams will perceive their last T20I before the world tournament is starting, despite the fact that their outcome might not have much value. To qualify the series is pointless and this final encounter in Trivandrum is something of much greater importance than those on a table: a sense of clarity, confidence and a momentum forward to the T20 World Cup.
India New Zealand T20 World Cup warm-up is at immensely different levels of readiness on the part of two teams. India, generally, seem very near to arriving to the XI they prefer. The experimentation stage is largely complete, whilst some of the selection calls are yet to be made. New Zealand, though, are yet to get combinations and injured players and availability to sink, so this match is a significant rehearsal and not a formality.
First, attention of India will automatically be attracted to Sanju Samson. There is little rivalry in this match coming in under scrutiny. Though he is supported as an opener towards the end of the build-up, Samson has been unable to give the performances that were the hallmark of the position previously. He will play in his home stadium in front of a host of people so this India New Zealand T20 World Cup warm-up is his last chance to shut critics. India has dumped Shubman Gill in the event of not rewarding them and they will not want to see such a situation with Samson who is just days away before the world cup.
The bigger batting core of India however, appears to be subdued to a large number. Suryakumar Yadav still rules the team with authority, Hardik Pandya brings in balance and experience, and Rinku Singh has become a reliable finisher. The interrogatives are less about capability and more so about timeframe and positions. One of such subplots is the fitness of Ishan Kishan. Assuming he goes without, his explosive figure will force the team management to take him in the top, despite the dangers to the rest including, but not limited to, Abhishek Sharma who has not done much.
But, the only experiment India has conducted has not been on the batting order. We had Harshit Rana experimented with at No. 7 in the previous match, which suggests that the depth and flexibility are being tested by India. The rest taken by Varun Chakravarthy also indicated the management of workload as opposed to lack of belief. The fact that Axar Patel was not there in both the previous games is something that has raised an eyebrow, although this seems to be on the precautionary side. His presence in such an India New Zealand T20 world cup warm-up will indicate the extent to which the management values him in their first-choice XI.
New Zealand, on the other hand, come with a refreshed hope courtesy of the comeback of Finn Allen. Allen, fresh out of a glittering Big Bash League season during which he had topped the run charts, provides fire power to a batting line which has appeared patchy. In the case of New Zealand, the Indian New Zealand T20 world cup warm-up is not more of an experimentation, but rather an adjustment. Allen is not much experienced about the India conditions and his acclimatisation should be a priority.
This development presents a selection problem concerning Devon Conway. Conway has played all the four matches and has been opening the matches and having Allen in the team is the cause the team has to reconsider. Is it Conway who drops the order or is it New Zealand make up the balance elsewhere? Similar to Samson, Conway is in need of a signature appearance to help establish his niche. New Zealand rely on Rachlin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips to bring stability but are apparently in the process of searching the most effective top order combination.
The contrasting lines are also emphasized using form lines. India are going into this match on the strength of four consecutive T20I victories compared to the lack of consistency in the performances of New Zealand. Having said that there is always a reset button at international events and this India New Zealand T20 World Cup warm-up will be seen by New Zealand as an opportunity to rectify and not tacticise trends.
Lastly, there is an extra twist of the situation in Trivandrum. In the past, the venue has punished with the ball and bated with the bat. Despite defending a huge score in Australia, and bowling out South Africa at a mere fraction of the cost earlier years, India have pleasant memories here. The surface is supposed to provide a good challenge with the temperatures being moderate, which is perfect on the final tuning up.
To sum up, it was not about a scoreboard but about answers during the warm-up of India New Zealand T20 World Cup. India demand reassurance of the company of Samson and final balance calls, whereas New Zealand pursue cohesion and confidence, particularly where Finn Allen is involved again. This and the approaching world cup means this match will be the last time of preparation before performance takes over.
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