India vs New Zealand - More misery for the Kiwis?? - Opinion
The recent strings of performances by New Zealand have been so deplorable and saddening that it is impossible to derive any sort of positivity whatsoever. The Black Caps have succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the West Indies in the recently concluded
Test series, which was after a 4-1 thrashing in the ODI series of the tour. It can be safely said that since the 2011 Cricket World Cup Semi Final, New Zealand has looked like a rattled, inexperienced, impotent and powerless outfit that any side could beat
on the day. For a team which has always been competitive in ODI cricket, challenges lie ahead, both internally and externally.
After the drubbing that the Black Caps got at the hands of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758. With a series of injuries plaguing the
Black Caps in the Caribbean, their fortunes are not expected to change, with a series of defeats under their belt. Their skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LRPL-Taylor-c1849 has been the only real force for his beleaguered side, yet the rest of the team has succumbed to outlandish pressure
exerted by the oppositions that they have encountered. To counter a team such as India in their own den with sweltering conditions and wickets which produce prodigious spin, might mean that New Zealand could well and truly be outplayed once again in all three
departments.
India has historically been almost invincible at home and has seldom lost to even the most formidable of oppositions such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746. For the Black Caps however, this tour might lead to further misery in one way but if one is to look at it
from a different perspective, this expedition might act as an opportunity as well.
With the World T20 in Sri Lanka just a month away, New Zealand would feel relatively more privileged over playing a side such as India, in difficult conditions. The venues for the fixtures are equally rewarding as they would be played in places such as Visakhapatnam
in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 manages to create an upset or two in that series, then that would be a massive confidence booster for a side which has historically
fought above its weight whenever they have been castigated over poor performances.
Having said that, New Zealand also needs to develop innovative ways of approaching the game and experiment in their tactical game play. Sides which have gone through a lean patch often resort to new ways of approaching the game. Inclusion of spinners, rotation
in the batting order or unique field placings could help New Zealand to the point of being competitive. The battle however, is more psychological in nature. For a side which has been struggling off late, the Kiwis would need to brush aside their past failings
and focus on an all important series which acts as a dress rehearsal for the ICC World T20.
They have been hampered with the absence of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BB-McCullum-c1129 need to assume the responsibility of being at the top of the order. If roles are well defined and things
go hand in hand with plans which are devised, then New Zealand might come onto the roadmap. If not, then this tour could lead to more misery for an already downtrodden outfit.
Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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