The Kiwis have already suffered a lot of blows and can ill afford to get any more. They were low on confidence after losing the series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 and they have so far found it very difficult to beat the Indian team on their home soil.
While http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 will be fighting hard to stay alive in the series, the team is still not sure of the availability of flamboyant opener Brandon McCullum. His condition is being monitored consistently by the team management but there is still a doubt over
his inclusion in the squad for the third match.
With http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 looking to close the 5-match series after the third ODI, New Zealand will be sweating to have McCullum back in their team. The Kiwis have been under the scanner for the last few months and former cricketers have also questioned their World Cup
preparations.
It has been a one way series so far with India being dominant over the visitors. The New Zealand team has lost all five of its matches played and there are still uncertainties in the camp regarding the batting order and team selection.
Neither the batsmen nor the bowlers have been able to put up a good show for New Zealand. There have been some good performances here and there but not any sufficient to win matches. There is a blend of youth and experience in the side but the injury problems
have haunted them in the past few months. Captain Daniel Vettori also had some fitness issues. The experienced all-rounder Jacob Oram has also been out of the side because of injury problems.
India has however had a very successful few months. They have a very nice mix of young talented cricketers along with the experienced ones. The preparations for the World Cup for India are headed in the right direction. Some of the Indian players will also
be looking to do well in the remaining matches to cement their place in the World Cup squad.
However, hard-hitting batsman Yusuf Pathan has not had the best of series and is struggling for runs. He will be looking to cash in to the opportunity in the last three matches remaining. On the other hand, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Parthiv-Patel-c2159 wants to make the most of the opportunity
he has got. Patel will be playing his first ODI in six and a half years. Patel would be under pressure to perform for his side to make it to the World Cup squad. He claims that batting at any number would be fine for him. He has been featuring in the Indian
Premiere League regularly and opening the innings for his team Chennai Super Kings.
With some returning cricketers and some under pressure to perform well, it can be a chance for the Kiwi team to take advantage and win some matches from here onwards.
New Zealand will also play home series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 after completing the Indian tour. A few victories on this tour would do a lot good to their confidence and they would be able to decide the right combination for the Pakistan series and the World cup.
Regardless of whether Brendon McCullum is available for the next match or not, the Kiwis have to perform well to stay alive in the series. They will particularly have to bowl well to stop the flow of runs from the Indian batsmen.
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