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The Indian Cricket Team is currently engaged in a three-match T20I series against New Zealand on home soil, with the series currently tied at 1-1. The first match, held at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, saw India suffer a 21-run loss as the team was outclassed on a challenging pitch that offered significant grip and turn.
With the series on the line, India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya and head coach Rahul Dravid may need to re-evaluate their strategies and consider potential changes for the upcoming match at the Lucknow Stadium, which is expected to produce a decent score.
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India’s captain, Hardik Pandya, acknowledged that the team was taken aback by the pitch conditions in Ranchi but acknowledged that they paid the price for allowing New Zealand to score too many runs. The turning point of the match was the last-over thrashing of Indian bowler Arshdeep Singh for 27 runs.
India’s top order, including Gill and Kishan, were outdone by the New Zealand spinners, while Tripathi fell to pacer Duffy. Kishan, in particular, has struggled for consistency since his ODI double century, and Tripathi, who has only played a handful of matches, has yet to make a significant impact.
The key to India’s middle order is the No. 1 T20I batter, Suryakumar Yadav, who has consistently delivered strong performances. Hardik Pandya and Deepak Hooda also play key roles in the top 6, while Washington Sundar and Shivam Mavi provide valuable contributions with the bat in the lower middle order.
The Lucknow Stadium is expected to produce a decent score, but the surface may also exhibit some slowness, which could favor the slower bowlers. India has three spinners on the roster, two of whom are all-rounders.
According to AccuWeather, the chances of rain interrupting the match are minimal, with less than 7% cloud cover expected during the second T20I. The weather at the venue is expected to be humid, with humidity fluctuating around 54% to 71% during match hours. The outcome of the match may hinge on the toss, with the team that wins it likely opting to bat first.
