After their spinners were outplayed and their hitters found it difficult to overcome the slow bowlers of the visitors in the first two games, India may need to reevaluate their bowling lineup for Sunday’s series-deciding third ODI against New Zealand in Indore.
India’s middle-overs weaknesses were revealed in the second ODI in Rajkot, which New Zealand easily won to draw the series 1-1.
The most notable of these was Kuldeep Yadav’s difficulties, as New Zealand’s batters, led by Daryl Mitchell, confidently confronted him despite Yadav’s inability to maintain control or consistently threaten to take wickets.
Mitchell in particular used his feet to counteract the spin and thwart India’s tactics throughout the middle overs as Kuldeep was hammered for both length and direction. He was successfully swept by the Kiwi batsmen, a tactic that also served them well in Test matches.
In sharp contrast to the success of the Kiwi spinners, who stifled the host team’s scoring rate and induced errors, India’s spinners as a group were unable to apply consistent pressure. The batting-friendly surfaces and small boundaries of the Indore venue emphasize discipline above simple variation.
Instead of providing flight that is easily exploited, India’s bowlers, especially Kuldeep, will need to bowl flatter, attack the stumps, and make clever use of the larger areas of the pitch.
On a pitch where mis-hits frequently go for six, controlling the lengths and reducing boundary choices will be crucial. In Rajkot, Washington Sundar’s injury was clearly felt, as his replacement, Nitish Kumar Reddy, bowled just two overs.
Ayush Badoni, who bowls off spin, would be a better fit in the starting lineup than Reddy given the circumstances, but it’s unclear if the club management will bench him after just one game. To counteract the dangers of bowling spin, the team management could also try to bolster the pace attack. If left-arm Arshdeep Singh is allowed a look-in, that will be interesting.
Prasidh Krishna, who hasn’t performed poorly in the first two games, will have to make room if he must arrive. Prasidh’s bowling length is the only thing that can work against him. Arshdeep’s longer stature makes him a more potent weapon at Holkar Stadium, but his natural length is back of what can be used on a compact field.
In order to keep New Zealand from creating a platform like the one they had in Rajkot, early wickets with the new ball could be crucial. The assault will undoubtedly be led by Mohammed Siraj, but the final lineup may vary depending on if India chooses to use an additional pace option in addition to Ravindra Jadeja as the only spinning all-rounder.
India is unlikely to alter their core group when it comes to batting. The hosts’ plans continue to revolve around Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer.
India will need to concentrate on early breakthroughs, tighter middle-overs bowling, and more astute use of angles and fields at Holkar, where totals can easily spiral out of control. With the series on the line, India’s strategy in the decisive match is probably going to be defined by execution rather than experimentation.
With victories over England (2006, 2008), the West Indies (2011), South Africa (2015), and Australia (2017), India has an impressive record at Holkar Stadium. Even though Friday’s practice was optional, the Kiwis worked hard while the Indian squad skipped it.
