Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Date and Time: January 24, 1:30 PM IST
In less than 24 hours, India will play New Zealand again. Different levels, different teams and totally different conditions. The senior men’s team have dominated the near full-strength Kiwis in the 20-over format. Now, it’s the juniors’ turn.
Although India haven’t played New Zealand at the Under-19 level for a long time, the Boys in Blue have been a force to be reckoned with in 50-over cricket since the last World Cup.
Two wins in two games. With all the rain around in Zimbabwe, India will gladly take the results. The wins were not fully convincing, but four points mean they have already qualified for the Super Six stage. Their final group game against New Zealand is also likely to be affected by rain. India enjoyed a long break of six days, which was much needed after playing two games in the first three days of the tournament. More importantly, it gave Aaron George time to recover.
Nursing a tennis elbow injury, George appears to have recovered well. The right-handed top-order batter looked solid in the nets and also spent time doing fielding drills. A call on his availability will be taken closer to the match, but in all likelihood he will be in contention to play the final league game. His inclusion would bolster the top order.
Captain Ayush Mhatre and Vedant Trivedi have struggled in the first two games. The rising delivery has been a problem for both batters — and, in fact, for most of the Indian batting line-up. Bulawayo’s conditions will once again present a challenge, as will the New Zealand bowlers: Flynn Morey, Mason Clarke and Callum Samson. The focus will once again largely be on Mhatre. The Indian captain needs to rediscover his mojo as India head into the Super Six needing runs behind him.
Bowling has been a strong link for the Indian team. Whether seam or pace, both departments have enjoyed the bowling-friendly conditions at the Queen’s Sports Club. More runs from the top order in a winning cause would be something India would like to take away from this game.
Unlike India, New Zealand haven’t played a full game yet. Both of their matches were washed out, and in order to keep their Super Six hopes alive, they will need to beat India. Hugo Bogue, Aryan Mann and Tom Jones haven’t had much time in the middle in the ongoing tournament, but all three batters will be itching to display their talent against India’s in-form bowling attack. New Zealand may not be the most dangerous side at this level, but in ICC events against India, history suggests they are capable of bringing their A-game.
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