New Delhi. The Super-12 stage is to be played between India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup on 23 October. Before that, the team will play its second warm-up match against New Zealand in Brisbane on Wednesday. This will be the last chance for Team India, led by Rohit Sharma, to improve their preparations and rectify the shortcomings before the great match against Pakistan.
The Indian team had defeated hosts and defending champions Australia in the first warm-up match and the team would like to maintain the momentum against New Zealand as well. The batting combination of the Indian team is largely fixed and the batsmen are also fulfilling their responsibility. However, bowling still remains a matter of concern for Team India. The way Mohammed Shami made a comeback in the warm-up match against Australia, captain Rohit must have been relieved. Rohit had said after the match against Australia that despite the satisfactory performance in this match, there is room for improvement and he expects the bowlers to perform well.
Suryakumar may get rest: The in-form middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav may be rested from the practice match against New Zealand. Suryakumar has been playing consistently and the team management is considering resting him before the match against Pakistan. Deepak Hooda or Rishabh Pant could be included in the playing XI in case Suryakumar is out. There is also a possibility that Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli may also be rested. If the Indian team rests some of its top players, then New Zealand team will field their best team against India. New Zealand had to face defeat in the first warm-up match against South Africa and the team was all out for just 98 runs. Before the Super-12 stage, the New Zealand team would also like to rectify their shortcomings.
Shami can solve the problem of the 19th over: In recent times, the 19th over has been a cause of concern for India, but Shami can solve this problem of Team India. Shami showed against Australia that he can turn the game around with his bowling. In T20s anyway, the 19th over is the most important, especially while defending the target. Bhuvneshwar Kumar proved costly while scoring 19th in some matches in the T20I series against Australia and South Africa, causing Team India to lose the match, but in the T20 World Cup, the captain had the form of Shami to make 19th. There will be a good alternative.