India v New Zealand – 1st T20 – Match Preview [Part 1]
With the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World Twenty20 2012 due to kick off in Sri Lanka during the later part of September, teams have been looking to fit in as much match practice as possible, and the 2-match T20I series between India and New Zealand, the first game of which is
due to be played at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam today on September 8, serves primarily as a prelude to the mega event for both teams.
The T20I series was preceded by the extended-overs leg of the tour, which saw India claiming a comprehensive 2-0 series win. However, the Kiwis put up a considerable fight and dominated the initial stages of the final Test in Bangalore, which is likely to
have afforded them a boost in confidence.
With teams looking to fit in as many T20 series as possible prior to the World T20, India have played 4 matches this year (out of which they have won two, and lost two), while New Zealand have already played 7 (out of which they have won 3 and lost 4).
India’s last match was an only T20I against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in August, which they won by 39 runs, while New Zealand’s last was a 2-match series against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 in Florida, which they lost 0-2. The upcoming series affords the T20 squads on
both sides a final chance to get their act together before heading off to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
While India appears to be the stronger side, the T20 format is characterised by an element of unpredictability, which offers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 the perfect chance to upend their hosts. Curiously, out of the three T20Is both teams have played against each other,
New Zealand have emerged triumphant in all three, although they have never played a T20 against the Men in Blue in India.
However, various New Zealand players have participated in the Indian Premier League, owing to which the conditions should not prove too unfamiliar (this advantage could also backfire, seeing as members of the Indian team are now bound to be more familiar
with the Kiwi players). The visitors will also be boosted by the return of several experienced players such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JDP-Oram-c1681.
In addition to the growing excitement for the Word T20, the main attraction, which threatens to overshadow the actual match itself, is the second coming of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yuvraj-Singh-c98364, the Player of the Tournament from India’s 2011 World Cup triumph. Having returned to
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in April this year after receiving treatment for germ cell cancer in the United States, all eyes will be on the star all-rounder as he makes his comeback post-recovery, having last played for the national team in November 2011.
While he has had no match practice prior to the series, fitness reports from the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore (where he has been training) suggest that Yuvraj is in fine form, and he also has the faith of the selectors and team management to back
him.
"It is hard to believe that I will be playing for India again," said the 30-year-old. "A few months back I had trouble climbing four steps, now I can't wait to take the field. It is like starting a new life."
India skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028, however, has stressed the importance of not putting undue pressure on the all-rounder, or letting his return distract the team from the task at hand.
"The whole world is talking about his comeback ... it puts the burden on the individual," said Dhoni. "It's important to keep it as normal as possible ...He has fought through it as he is a strong character. As I said, he needs to turn up and just enjoy
his cricket ... he should not think about anything else."
Continued in Part 2 ...
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