***Official***Match #21- India vs New Zealand- October 22nd-Dharamsala (D/N)

[Sunil1z]

Don’t speak anything against Kohli on 1 year anniversary of one of the greatest T20 knocks played by him.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

India
NZ/SA
Daylight

Still seems to be the power ranking so far this tournament.

 

[Moss]

India
NZ/SA
Daylight

Still seems to be the power ranking so far this tournament.

Have a feeling Sri Lanka collapsing after that brilliant opening partnership against Australia was the start of a proper Aussie resurgence. That game against NZ is shaping up to be crucial for both sides (Aus have a relatively easy set of remaining games) and as a NZ supporter not comfortable without Williamson for that fixture.

On a similar note, NZ may look on this game a big opportunity missed - rarely do India give you so many letoffs at the start. failing to turn 178 for 2 into 300+ pretty much ensured they were playing catch-up rest of the game. India will only get sharper in the knockouts you feel.

 

[Jezroy]

Disappointed to see dropped catches being a thing. How many did NZ drop?

And yeah pretty tough to criticise Mitchell. It would have been nice for him to unleash in the last 10 overs, but the reality is the middle order hitters weren’t having a great day so he had to try and bat through as the guy that had been out there for a while.

Not a terrible performance from NZ, they definitely didn’t **** the bed and had some good performances, but certainly not their day. And undone by another Kohli chasing lesson.

NZ can definitely beat Sri Lanka, then at least one of Aus, SA, or Pak. The win against England and knocking off the banana skins has still set them up for a pretty good run where they only have themselves to blame if they lose 4 out of their last 5. I would love them to finish 2nd or 3rd after the round robin. Whoever finishes 4th is going to have a semi final against India… which is going to be tough.

 

[Jezroy]

Devon still very much God Mode or not a lot of the time.

So we have a 6 day wait until the Aussies in Dharamsala again.

Then a few days off before SA in Pune

Couple of days off then the early game against Pakistan in Bengaluru.

Then SL in Bengaluru a few days later. Still a pretty good schedule for us. Main thing will be the travel between Dharm-Pune-Benga.

Still feeling confident for another semi final appearance at least.

 

[Prince EWS]

Apparently it's Lord Thakur's birthday. Will it see more #punishment, or will the cricketing gods be kind to him?

D R O P P E D
R
O
P
P
E
D

Dropped on his birthday. A punishing move by the selectors.

 

[Burgey]

D R O P P E D
R
O
P
P
E
D

Dropped on his birthday. A punishing move by the selectors.

#punished

 

[Bahnz]

That feels like a real opportunity missed. Had a fear that the middle order might come undone at some point, at least this was a game we could afford to lose. With the way Nz have typically gone v Aus in WC's and SA looking good, I fear that NZ v Pakistan game could end up being a de factor quarter final.

 

[Burgey]

I didn't really see much of India's innings beyond the first few overs but this looks like it was a decent contest. Purely from a batting perspective, I don't think NZ are far away at all tbh. India's death bowling was excellent, wasn't a lot which could be done.

I feel like this is actually NZ's best chance to win a WC. Their seam attack has some real wheels, the conditions make Santner a handful instead of fodder, their batting is on point, they field well and they've got Williamson to come back in. Plus a lot of these guys were there in 2019. India still favourites but realistically, if this was being played elsewhere I think NZ would be short odds to win the whole thing. And they're definietely not out of it here anyway.

 

[ashley bach]

That was some of the best death bowling from India I've seen in a very long time. Bumrah impossible as usual and Siraj was also immaculate.

 

[straw man]

Very good win, India. They should be pretty happy with just about everything except their catching. Bumrah/Shami/Siraj put on an exhibition.

We were close and in the end only one partnership breaker away from India's long tale, just needed to somehow remove Kohli. Most of our team still looking decent (with Williamson back in for Young), Chapman the one player who still needs to prove himself - he's doing a genuinely tough role, but we still need *something*. I'd give him the next match and then consider replacing him, though neither Neesham or the 5-bowler option with Santner at 7 (the South Africa approach) really appeal either.

 

[Adorable Asshole]

Neesham is actually a good option.

 

[straw man]

We may end up going back to him. It's just that his bowling ain't great (though if pitches get tired and two-paced he goes a bit better) and he's underperformed with the bat. Chapman is a better batsman than him, but is adapting to the role at 7 and hasn't had much success so far either.

 

[NZTailender]

That feels like a real opportunity missed. Had a fear that the middle order might come undone at some point, at least this was a game we could afford to lose. With the way Nz have typically gone v Aus in WC's and SA looking good, I fear that NZ v Pakistan game could end up being a de factor quarter final.

We went unbeaten through 2015 and lost the final. 2019 we barely made it through and somehow lost without losing. So I feel like we'll still make the finals as there's many roads to get there.

So on one hand it feels like an opportunity missed, but losses are a learning opportunity and hopefully this provides something for the team to tighten up on.

 

[Daemon]

India
NZ/SA
Daylight

Still seems to be the power ranking so far this tournament.

I think it’s

India/NZ
SA

Yesterday’s game was very close imo. Both sides spilled catches that would’ve flipped it completely. Henry bowled really well for little luck as well.

 

[Athlai]

I think it’s

India/NZ
SA

Yesterday’s game was very close imo. Both sides spilled catches that would’ve flipped it completely. Henry bowled really well for little luck as well.

Toss played a role too.

I reckon we should do pretty well in our remaining matches and make the semis comfortably

 

[straw man]

I think it’s

India/NZ
SA

Yesterday’s game was very close imo. Both sides spilled catches that would’ve flipped it completely. Henry bowled really well for little luck as well.

Haha you're not giving away the favourite tags that easily. NZ were pretty good yesterday but India were very good, especially now that Shami is in the side. No real weakness unless you can get into the tail of the batting order - you absolutely must take early wickets against India so that, if nothing else, they have to bat a little more conservatively. Comfortably the team to beat at home.

 

[straw man]

Doull was right, Daryll Mitchell's selfish knock tuktuking singles when nearing his hundred slowed their innings to a crawl and shifted momentum. Not at all like Kohli who selflessly tried to hit the winning runs with a big shot even when he was close to his hundred. NZ can learn a lot from India when it comes to playing unselfish team oriented cricket.

Did Doull genuinely say something like this? Even if you're exaggerating slightly, that would be almost impossibly dumb.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Did Doull genuinely say something like this? Even if you're exaggerating slightly, that would be almost impossibly dumb.

It’s Doull. He’s dumb.

 

[thierry henry]

Henry beat the outside edge that many times in his first spell, on another day that’s a top order collapse. Just have to hope that day comes (again) in a knockout.