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After regaining the series lead on the back of a dominating performance from Virat Kohli, India will be looking to close out the series against New Zealand as the sides meet in Ranchi for the fourth ODI. Join The Roar for live scores from 7pm (AEDT).
The Kiwi batsmen have had a torrid time in India so far, with the run-scoring drought extending into the one-day series.
After returning from a back injury, Corey Anderson has been ineffective playing as a specialist batsman, averaging a paltry 10.33 in the series.
Unfortunately for the Black Caps, he is not the only player to underperform.
Martin Guptill has yet to hit form in India, scoring only 39 runs in the preceding three matches while keeper batsmen Luke Ronchi hasn’t even made it to double figures in the series, scoring 7 runs averaging 2.33.
To illustrate New Zealand’s batting woes, after skipper Kane Williamson and opener Tom Latham, their most successful batsmen this series has been bowler Tim Southee.
But all hope is not lost for the Kiwis.
Before an absolute peach of a delivery from leggie Amit Mishra had Ross Taylor both literally and figuratively stumped for 44, the former captain showed some positive signs that he was breaking out of his current funk with some fluent scoring.
With strong contributions from the lower order and the trio of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Mark Henry looking dangerous with the ball, a better showing from the frontline batsmen could put the Black Caps back in this series.
On the other hand, the brains trust at the BCCI should be pleased with what they have seen from the majority of the team with both the bat and ball.
Stalwarts MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli continue to be the engine room of the middle order with the Indian skipper seemingly regaining new life batting at number four in the third ODI while new additions Hardik Pandya and Kedhar Jadhav have been pleasant surprises, showcasing their all-round abilities.
Pandya has been impressive in his first three ODI matches, showing that he is capable of opening the bowling attack and playing as India’s third seamer to go along with his big hitting skills to close out an innings.
But it has been Jadhav who has been the surprise packet of this series, as he mounts himself a serious case to retain his spot even after Suresh Raina regains full fitness.
In addition to his solid batting effort in the second ODI, Jadhav has been a revelation with the ball taking six wickets at an average of 7.66 to be the second highest wicket-taker in the series.
However, one note of concern for the Indian team is the disappointing form of batsmen Ajinkya Rahane. After a stellar Test series, Rahane has been unable to carry that form into the shorter format of the game.
With the injured Shikhar Dhawan likely to regain the opener’s position for the ODIs against England in January and with the likes of Raina and Jadhav competing for middle order positions, Rahane is no certainty to hold his spot without an uptick in runs.
Prediction
With some great pinch hitting from the Kiwi tail enders, a high standard in the field and some patches of good bowling, the New Zealanders aren’t too far away from a complete performance.
However, after comfortable wins in two of the three matches so far, India would dearly like to wrap the series up and use the final ODI as an opportunity to use some players who haven’t seen the field yet.
India to win in a tight contest.
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