After months of preparation from the teams, weeks of non-preparation from the organisers, the day many cricket fans have been waiting for is here. The first Super 10 match of the ICC World T20 2016 sees hosts and firm favorites, India take on New Zealand in what promises to be a cracker.
India come in to the tournament riding a wave of T20I success -- quite the contrast to the gloom surrounding the side after the whitewash in the hands of South Africa in October last year. New Zealand come into the tournament in good form as well after convincing series wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan in their own backyard.
Veteran cricket journalist Ayaz Memon, or Cricketwallah as he is known in the cricketing community, in conversation with Firstpost's Vinayakk Mohanrangan, preview the match between India and New Zealand in Nagpur.
"In my opinion, these are the two teams who must progress from this group, so whoever wins on Tuesday gets a head-start. It is not going to be easy for either team, but I expect a humdinger," Ayaz told Firstpost.
Talking about the explosive New Zealand batting lineup, Ayaz reserved special praise for Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson -- 'a class act in any format '-- the stars of the Kiwi batting lineup. He also spoke about the ability of Corey Anderson to change a game from the middle order.
'New Zealand's only weakness seems to be their spin bowling department. Mitchell Santner is good, but he is not established himself yet. They have a lethal fast bowling attack with Trent Boult, Tim Southee but spin is an area of concern," said Ayaz.
As for India, the only doubtful area in the starting XI seems to be between the returning Mohammad Shami and the man enjoying a swansong, Ashish Nehra.
'Given that India will be desperate to win the first match, they will want to go with a settled XI. It is up to Shami to force Dhoni's hands into picking him as he is the one making a comeback," said Ayaz.
While spin is New Zealand's weakness, it is undoubtedly India's strength. 'Not taking anything away from the faster bowlers, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja will need to be stellar bowlers for India,' Ayaz said.
The first match of the tournament-proper looks like a cracker by all accounts. When the two captains not known to flinch under pressure take the field on Tuesday for the toss, expect a massive roar from the Nagpur crowd that will dissolve all the uncertainties that have mired the build-up to this tournament.
Source
India come in to the tournament riding a wave of T20I success -- quite the contrast to the gloom surrounding the side after the whitewash in the hands of South Africa in October last year. New Zealand come into the tournament in good form as well after convincing series wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan in their own backyard.
Veteran cricket journalist Ayaz Memon, or Cricketwallah as he is known in the cricketing community, in conversation with Firstpost's Vinayakk Mohanrangan, preview the match between India and New Zealand in Nagpur.
"In my opinion, these are the two teams who must progress from this group, so whoever wins on Tuesday gets a head-start. It is not going to be easy for either team, but I expect a humdinger," Ayaz told Firstpost.
Talking about the explosive New Zealand batting lineup, Ayaz reserved special praise for Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson -- 'a class act in any format '-- the stars of the Kiwi batting lineup. He also spoke about the ability of Corey Anderson to change a game from the middle order.
'New Zealand's only weakness seems to be their spin bowling department. Mitchell Santner is good, but he is not established himself yet. They have a lethal fast bowling attack with Trent Boult, Tim Southee but spin is an area of concern," said Ayaz.
As for India, the only doubtful area in the starting XI seems to be between the returning Mohammad Shami and the man enjoying a swansong, Ashish Nehra.
'Given that India will be desperate to win the first match, they will want to go with a settled XI. It is up to Shami to force Dhoni's hands into picking him as he is the one making a comeback," said Ayaz.
While spin is New Zealand's weakness, it is undoubtedly India's strength. 'Not taking anything away from the faster bowlers, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja will need to be stellar bowlers for India,' Ayaz said.
The first match of the tournament-proper looks like a cracker by all accounts. When the two captains not known to flinch under pressure take the field on Tuesday for the toss, expect a massive roar from the Nagpur crowd that will dissolve all the uncertainties that have mired the build-up to this tournament.
Source
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