India have attained an unassailable lead of 2-0, making this a dead rubber. But, for fantasy, there is no such thing as dead rubber. India are on the verge of achieving yet another white-wash at home, their second one in succession if they do so.
On the other hand, New Zealand are in this situation because of their top order failure in the first two matches. The first ODI was still better as Michael Bracewell saved their skin by taking it long. But, in the second ODI, it was a total failure from the batters that handed them a series loss.
In comparison, India’s batting, to be precise, one batter, was top notch in the first ODI. However, it was the collective performance from the bowlers that helped them win that match. The caravan moves to Indore, for the last ODI of the series, before we go to the three-match T20I series.
Ground details
The Holkar Stadium in Indore, is known for being a high scoring venue. In ODIs, five games have happened here, and in four, first innings scores have been above 290. Overall, the average first inning score at the venue has been around the 310-mark. On another note, India’s highest ODI total of 418/5 against West Indies, came at this venue in 2011. Batting teams have averaged 49.7 at this venue. At an Indian venue in which five matches are played, only in Visakhapatnam, they average better (55.5).
2017 was the last game that happened here. The gap has been big, but the characteristics of the venue haven't changed. In List-A cricket since 2021, Holkar has witnessed five games and the average score has been 303.
In the bowling department, pacers (60.9%) have bowled the large chunk of overs as compared to the spinners (39.1%). However, the spinners have found far better success than the pacers. Spinners have picked up a wicket every 36.8 balls as compared to 48.1 by pacers. The spinners have bagged 45.6 percent of wickets as compared to 54.4 percent by pacers.
Suggested Team
While you could go for the above team, you can also choose your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Captaincy suggestions
For small leagues: Shubman Gill (capt), Michael Bracewell (vice-capt)
For grand leagues: Kuldeep Yadav (capt), Mitchell Santner (vice-capt)
Stats that matter
-In this series, New Zealand's top four batters have scored only 87 runs at an average of 10.9. Whereas, their batters between 5-7 have scored 234 runs at an average of 39 and a century.
-Shubman Gill has had a dream start to his ODI career. In his first 20 innings, Gill has scored 1142 runs, which is the most for a batter in ODIs. In this series, he has scored 234 runs in two innings, which is 86 runs more than Bracewell at second (162).
-In the first powerplay, New Zealand batters have had contrasting records when compared to India. They have lost a wicket every 37.5 balls as compared to 62.1 by India.
Grand league punts
-Kuldeep Yadav has turned things around in ODIs since 2022. Post the 2019 World Cup till 2021, he had 14 wickets at an average 57.4 and a bowling strike rate of 55.4. Since 2022, things have brightened up for him as he has picked up 20 wickets at an average of 23.6 and strike rate of 29.3.
-Mitchell Santner has this knack of performing well against India in LOI’s. With most of the Indian batters struggling against left-arm spinners off-late, Santner has an x-factor. Low down the order, Santner is very handy with the bat as well.
Here are the top 10 criclytics projection
Probable XI
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan/KS Bharat (wk), Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami/Siraj/Umran Malik
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Tom Latham (c & wk), Henry Nicholls/Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Doug Bracewell/Jacob Duffy/Blair Tickner, Lockie Ferguson
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