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With the series already determined, both India and New Zealand are likely to test their reserve players in the remaining two games of the five-match affair.
Overview
New Zealand vs India, 4th T20I
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Friday, 31 January; 08:00pm local, 07.00am GMT
New Zealand endured heartbreak in a Super Over yet again, conceding a game they had seemed destined to win, and with it, had their hopes of a series win fade away. That, however, shouldn't overshadow the positives that came out of the Hamilton game and the ones that preceded it. Their top order has contributed consistently in the series, while the spin duo of Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner have bowled with great control through the middle overs.
The worrying factor, though, would be the form of their two senior men, Tim Southee and Colin de Grandhomme. While Southee has been extremely expensive, a territory he once owned, de Grandhomme has struggled against spinners in the middle overs, only managing scores of 0, 3 and 5 in three innings, at a strike-rate of 42.10. The all-rounder has already been replaced by Tom Bruce in the 13-member squad for the remainder of the series.
Kane Williamson might be tempted to bring in bowling all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, who had a good debut against India at this very venue, where he returned with 1/13 in 2.2 overs in an 80-run victory.
As for India, all departments seem covered, with almost every member of their XI having contributed thus far. That gives them an opportunity to test their bench strength, as skipper Kohli had already hinted after the third T20I. It won't come as a major surprise if he gives Shardul Thakur another go, and if one of the premier pacemen, Mohammed Shami or Jasprit Bumrah, is rested to make way for Navdeep Saini.
Wicket-keeper batsmen Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson are waiting on the sidelines too, but for them to be roped in, the visitors might have to rest one of their senior men, the skipper himself, or his deputy Rohit Sharma, to ensure a longer run for the rest.
Remember the last time
Rohit (65) and Rahul (27) got India off to a flyer, but New Zealand crawled their way back in the middle overs and restricted India to 179/5. The hosts, too, had a strong start, but both openers fell in quick succession, leaving an uphill task for Williamson and the rest. The skipper produced one of the best T20 knocks ever, scoring 95 in 48 balls to leave the hosts within touching distance. Shami, however, held his nerve in the final over, to leave the scores tied after New Zealand needed two off four balls.
Williamson continued to dominate in the Super Over, striking a six and a four off Bumrah to propel his side to 17. That seemed enough when India needed 10 off 2. Rohit, however, belted Tim Southee for two consecutive sixes – one over cow corner and the other over long-off – as India snatched victory.
What they said
Kane Williamson, New Zealand captain: "Throughout the three matches, we've seen India, with their experience, stand up in the big moments, and we must learn from them. It was nice to spend some time in the middle, build some partnerships with the guys, and try and take the game deep. It was a much better performance all round."
Virat Kohli, India captain: "We'll try to win 5-0, but it's important to give a couple of the others some game time as well. We want to see how they do in these conditions, someone like Washington Sundar, or Saini."
Conditions
The skies will be clear through the evening, and fast bowlers are likely to relish bowling with the new ball, considering the strong winds that would assist some swing. Contrary to the results in the series so far, the Westpac Stadium, based on its recent record, is one for batting first, as teams have successfully defended in four of the last five games at the venue.
Overview
New Zealand vs India, 4th T20I
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Friday, 31 January; 08:00pm local, 07.00am GMT
New Zealand endured heartbreak in a Super Over yet again, conceding a game they had seemed destined to win, and with it, had their hopes of a series win fade away. That, however, shouldn't overshadow the positives that came out of the Hamilton game and the ones that preceded it. Their top order has contributed consistently in the series, while the spin duo of Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner have bowled with great control through the middle overs.
The worrying factor, though, would be the form of their two senior men, Tim Southee and Colin de Grandhomme. While Southee has been extremely expensive, a territory he once owned, de Grandhomme has struggled against spinners in the middle overs, only managing scores of 0, 3 and 5 in three innings, at a strike-rate of 42.10. The all-rounder has already been replaced by Tom Bruce in the 13-member squad for the remainder of the series.
Kane Williamson might be tempted to bring in bowling all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, who had a good debut against India at this very venue, where he returned with 1/13 in 2.2 overs in an 80-run victory.
As for India, all departments seem covered, with almost every member of their XI having contributed thus far. That gives them an opportunity to test their bench strength, as skipper Kohli had already hinted after the third T20I. It won't come as a major surprise if he gives Shardul Thakur another go, and if one of the premier pacemen, Mohammed Shami or Jasprit Bumrah, is rested to make way for Navdeep Saini.
Wicket-keeper batsmen Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson are waiting on the sidelines too, but for them to be roped in, the visitors might have to rest one of their senior men, the skipper himself, or his deputy Rohit Sharma, to ensure a longer run for the rest.
Remember the last time
Rohit (65) and Rahul (27) got India off to a flyer, but New Zealand crawled their way back in the middle overs and restricted India to 179/5. The hosts, too, had a strong start, but both openers fell in quick succession, leaving an uphill task for Williamson and the rest. The skipper produced one of the best T20 knocks ever, scoring 95 in 48 balls to leave the hosts within touching distance. Shami, however, held his nerve in the final over, to leave the scores tied after New Zealand needed two off four balls.
Williamson continued to dominate in the Super Over, striking a six and a four off Bumrah to propel his side to 17. That seemed enough when India needed 10 off 2. Rohit, however, belted Tim Southee for two consecutive sixes – one over cow corner and the other over long-off – as India snatched victory.
What they said
Kane Williamson, New Zealand captain: "Throughout the three matches, we've seen India, with their experience, stand up in the big moments, and we must learn from them. It was nice to spend some time in the middle, build some partnerships with the guys, and try and take the game deep. It was a much better performance all round."
Virat Kohli, India captain: "We'll try to win 5-0, but it's important to give a couple of the others some game time as well. We want to see how they do in these conditions, someone like Washington Sundar, or Saini."
Conditions
The skies will be clear through the evening, and fast bowlers are likely to relish bowling with the new ball, considering the strong winds that would assist some swing. Contrary to the results in the series so far, the Westpac Stadium, based on its recent record, is one for batting first, as teams have successfully defended in four of the last five games at the venue.
facepalm
