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With the fourth T20I between India (IND) and New Zealand (NZ) getting underway at the Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, October 30, the visitors dropped Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the playing XI. Bhuvneshwar, the senior pacer, made his comeback to international cricket recently.
NZ vs IND: Toss Update
At the toss, Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer called it correctly and opted to field first, meaning the team would chase the target for the fourth consecutive time in this series. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Mitchell Santner said that they would want to extract something out of this game and the upcoming one on Sunday to diminish the embarrassment of the series they have lost already.
NZ vs IND: Why is Bhuvneshwar Kumar dropped?
Notably, skipper Iyer did not reveal the exact reason behind replacing Bhuvneshwar in the playing XI. However, the veteran bowler has failed to impress in the first three games, having picked only one wicket while also being quite expensive with the ball, while the Indian team has otherwise been excellent with their bowling strategy and execution. On air, Ravi Shastri suggested, Bhuvneshwar might be having a niggle.
On the other hand, Sooryavanshi made his way out of the team since Ishan Kishan has recovered from his illness and is fully fit to take part in the game. Sooryavanshi had filled in Kishan's shoes with 4 in the second T20I and an attacking 45 in the third. He will, however, have to wait for his next opportunity, with the senior back in the mix.
NZ vs IND: What do the Playing XIs look like?
New Zealand
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher
India
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav
NZ vs IND: What did the captains say?
Shreyas Iyer, India captain, said:
We're going to bowl. Just following the same pattern every now and then. [On India's performance in the previous match] Yes, absolutely. The intent, the positivity right from ball one, it was amazing. And the most important aspect I felt was adapting to the conditions. We realized that anything that is bowled hard length or half-volleys was going into the stands. So it's better bowl yorkers as quickly as possible. So the execution was phenomenal.
[On adapting to New Zealand's changing ground dimensions] Absolutely, and also the wind is following us everywhere. It's becoming chilly again and again. But, we have decided that we are not going to leave no stone unturned. So that is going to be our mindset. And obviously, we have won the series but I still feel that job is half done.
[On India's approach having won the series] See, it's important to be ruthless irrespective of whatever the result has been so far. And the boys have been given the same message. You got to be unruffled irrespective of what the occasion is. And I feel everyone is in high spirits.
[On today's pitch] You never know. There is decent amount of grass, so definitely expecting bounce and seam movement as well. [Changes?] Yeah, we've got two changes. Ishan comes back in for Vaibhav and Mayank comes in for Bhuvi.
Mitchell Santner, New Zealand captain, said:
We're gonna have to (turn things around). We're going to try to play some good cricket. It's another fresh day. It's nice on a new ground, new pitch. Just seeing some grass on the surface. So it might just help the bowlers a little more than some of the other games. It looks like another good pitch and you know if it does a little bit early and then try to get through that, it's one of those grounds where if you give yourself a chance you can really cash in.
(On the improvements needed) I think, you know, we've talked a lot obviously the last couple of days about plans and stuff. With the batting group, we did a great job. Batters, you know, different guys stepping up which is nice. And then the bowling, we came up against some good batting the other night. So that has, trying to find ways of getting wickets. And if we can't [get wickets], we need to try to get through the power play. And then in the field we've been a little bit sloppy at times. Tonight's ground is going to be tough for catching with the wind. But it shows, catches win matches and it's been quite appropriate this series.
(On being against a good batting unit) I think it's credit to the way India approaches the power play. They come really hard, and they are two of the best in the game. We've seen it obviously in international cricket and in the IPL. Obviously Kishan's back tonight and he's done it as well. So we have to try, the power play is such a massive part of this game. And then through the middle we can do what we can to try and squeeze it a little bit. (On the changes) We got one change. Nathan Smith is back in for Kyle Jamieson.
