The Kiwis’ 3-0 ODI whitewash of India was entirely unexpected after the Indians had routed New Zealand 5-0 in the preceding T20 series.
Trading knockout punches in the two short formats of the game sets up the Test series beautifully. But what do these series foretell in the long form of the game?
Bowling, wicket-taking
A great feature of Virat Kohli’s Indian team over the past few years has been the potency of the bowling unit, composed of wicket-takers who have delivered at every part of the game. They have applied relentless pressure on the opposition’s batting unit, leading to their ultimate demise.
However, the bowling in this ODI series was been insipid. Even when they had the Kiwis in trouble in the second ODI, they let them get out and post a challenging total.
Having said all the above, we might be reading too much into the ODI performance. For starters, the Test bowling unit will have new personnel, and the game will be played in bowler-friendly conditions. When Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami join Jasprit Bumrah, the group could well produce very different performances.
However, things aren’t as straightforward as they look. Bumrah was not at his best in the ODI series. Even though he was economical, he did not look threatening, even with the new ball. The fact Martin Guptil, who has been in a long drought of runs, handled Bumrah quite well says something was not quite right with his bowling.
Ishant is returning to international cricket after an injury. Umesh’s ordinary bowling record in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) has been a mystery of its own. Shami seems to be the only banker going into the Test series. Not exactly the fearsome fast bowling unit they were a few months back!
Mohammed Shami. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Opening batting isn’t solid
If one took a cursory look at India’s excellent performances in overseas Test matches in recent years, a recurring theme would be the strong start provided by the openers. They did an excellent job in the last year’s famous series win in Australia.
If the solidity of the openers is a crucial variable in India’s success, then how does the current opening pair look?
For now, it seems Mayank Agrawal will open the innings with Prithvi Shaw. Mayank has looked out of sorts in the India ‘A’ games in New Zealand and also in the three ODIs. Prithvi is yet to prove himself in international cricket. So, straight away, they’re looking at an unsure start to the innings for the first Test in Wellington.
New Zealand’s bowling attack will seek to remove the openers cheaply and have a crack at the middle order with a newish ball. How the opening pair will go in these Tests will determine India’s success.
Prithvi Shaw. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
Not-so-kingly Kohli
Virat Kohli is the talismanic cricketer of the team. When in full flow, he intimidates the opponents and often leads his side to victory.
However, his form has been quite subdued against New Zealand. Tim Southee spoke about having discovered a chink in Virat’s armour. Leg-spinners have castled him quite often in recent times, albeit mainly in ODIs, and he’ll no doubt be working to overcome these troubles.
How well the skipper goes will go some way to determining the Tests.
Tsat
Roar Guru
Just like the Australian series last year, this could be battle of the bowlers..both sides seem to possess matchwinning bowlers..tough job for batters
Tsat
Roar Guru
Openers look very shaky..Vihari looked good in the tour game..I hope they don't send him to open
Paul
Roar Guru
with the quality of the seamers India has, I'd be amazed if the ball moves sideways by a millimetre, Tsat. Totally expect the same sort of pitches they served up to England late last year - low & slow
Tsat
Roar Guru
Hi Paul, The Indian test team looked a solid bet in NZ and now look at bit shaky..In Australia, Mayank made two 50+ scores in Melbourne and Sydney..India's overseas performances have been in trouble in the past when Sachin and Dravid would invariably be batting with score 10/2.. India has done well, not necessarily win, only when one of the openers has made some decent score.. About the bowling, I am questioning, is the attack fearsome? Now with the injury and lack of form of key personnel.. With respect to pitches, NZ have greeted India with seaming pitches, in most of the series of the past..they don't take that risk with England and other such team..I would expect them to prepare a seam bowler friendly pitch..
Paul
Roar Guru
I think you're a bit all over the place with this piece, Tsat. "Indians had routed New Zealand 5-0 in the preceding T20 series". Really? How many games were won/lost in the extra over? I'm very sure Kohli doesn't think he "routed" the Black Caps. "the game will be played in bowler-friendly conditions." Really? I'm guess the pitches will be similar to those where England struggled to bowl out the Black Caps and world class bowlers like Archer were flat out taking a wicket. You also seem to having an each way bet with the Indian attack. On the one hand you're saying this "fearsome" attack will bolster Bumrah, but in the next sentence you're suggesting he's off form a little and the others aren't exactly world beaters in New Zealand? The Indian openers "did an excellent job in the last year’s famous series win in Australia." Really? In 7 innings, they made 3, 63, 6, 0, 40, 28 & 10. Pretty ordinary I would have thought? How did they go the series before in England, where conditions are similar to New Zealand? New Zealand success at Test level ahs been built around patience and the yhave tow quality batsmen in Blundell and Williamson who can bat for hours. Pujara and Kohli offset them, but it will be interesting to see how they cope with Wagner, assuming he uses the same bowling plans as he did in Australia. The Black Caps attack is disciplined and the Indians need to match that, if the pitches are low and slow. If they do, India should come out on top - just.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
I agree with Ruchika in that the ODI results weren't entirely unexpected on the evidence of the T20 series. IMO the Black Caps could, have and probably should, have won 2, maybe 3, of those games while India should have closed out last ODI. The Black Caps acquitted themselves well with some bigger names missing in that ODI team but it was also obvious that the return of some experience to that side made a difference too. While we are still hurting from a frankly insipid effort across the Tasman around Christmas the Black Caps are not to be under-estimated at home. The potential return of Ferguson and Boult will add to the home-team arsenal with Boult and Southee looking to swing the ball and capture some early scalps. IMO India will miss Rohit and I'm frankly astounded they can find no room for in-form Rahul down the order in spite of his white ball preference. I guess it just goes to show how incredible their depth has become. I am hoping will Young does enough to force a spot in the Black Caps. Equally, Jamieson has probably done enough to make the squad as well, troubling the top order with bounce on a length. There are some great young players coming through but that's another story for another day. My concern will be our spinning and all-rounder spots. Santner has really struggled with the red ball and looks down on confidence. I would like to see his spot go to Patel or Sommerville. Kane simply must roll his arm over too if we're not taking twin tweakers. And I would also like to see more of Mitchell as the all-rounder. He has impressed so far. Looking forward to some cricket in traditional whites...
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
I would very much disagree that our drubbing against New Zealand was unexpected. Three nil may be a little unexpected. But the series loss was coming after our performance in t20 series. We were very much lucky to win that series. New Zealand lost last three matches very weirdly when we had no hope. This is why I am critical of these results because they give us so much false confidence. This New Zealand team is far from a accomplished t20 side. I mean no disrespect but I never heard the names of half of the players they played. Their one day side too was a second tier team in absence of some world class bowlers. This test series will tell us how much the hype around around our team is justified before we enter the main event later this year in Australia. I am very doubtful about mayank. The way that debutant jamieson bowled our batsmen, it will be nightmare in typical New Zealand condition. I also fear other batsmen are figuring out jassi. We have seen Starc . Despite being man of the series in world cup he has not been best of form. I fear something similar is coming for jassi too. I hope I am wrong.