Matt Henry vs. India’s Top Order
Since the beginning of 2022, New Zealand’s seasoned pacer Matt Henry has been a force to reckon with in ODIs, claiming 67 wickets at an impressive average of just over 23. He has the ability to swing the ball both ways, but what sets him apart is his deceptive wobble ball. His strategy often involves setting up right-hand batters with deliveries that move away before slipping in one that either holds its line or wobbles slightly after pitching. Because the wobble in the air is minimal and his wrist position suggests an out-swinger, right-handers can easily be caught off guard.
Henry has troubled India before, most notably in the 2019 World Cup semi-final at Old Trafford, where he dismantled the top order, reducing them to 5 for 3. Even in the group stage of the same tournament, he dismissed Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill early on. However, a counterpoint to his dominance is Rohit Sharma’s aggressive approach against him during the 2023 World Cup clash in Dharamsala, where he effectively took on Henry and the New Zealand attack.
New Zealand may also consider bringing in Will O’Rourke for his hit-the-deck skills as a potential match-up against Axar Patel.
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Santner’s Challenge for Right-Handed Batters
Over time, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner has established himself as the backbone of their spin attack. A closer look at his performances over the past three years reveals that he has dismissed both Virat Kohli and KL Rahul twice each. However, Shubman Gill has managed to keep his wicket intact against Santner over nine encounters in that period.
Santner’s strength lies in his ability to vary angles, lines, and lengths while imparting revolutions on the ball. His stop-start action adds to his deception. For batters like Kohli, the key would be picking up the length early and effectively using the crease to counter Santner’s variations.
The Varun Chakaravarthy Factor
India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy played a crucial role in the last encounter against New Zealand, grabbing a five-wicket haul. He has been in excellent form and could pose a significant threat to the Kiwi batting lineup.
Varun’s arsenal includes a wide range of variations, making him a formidable force in limited-overs cricket. He can bowl with overspin, generate side-spin, and adjust his pace between 88 kph and 112 kph while subtly altering his lines and lengths. Given his recent impact, New Zealand will likely be studying his bowling patterns closely, trying to find a way to tackle his unpredictable deliveries.
Axar-Jadeja Combo vs Right-Handers
Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja may both be left-arm orthodox spinners, but they bring distinct skills to the table. Jadeja thrives on turn and deception, particularly when the pitch offers assistance. His ability to generate sharp side-spin makes it difficult for batters to distinguish between deliveries that hold their line and those that spin away. If the Dubai pitch for the final provides any support for spinners, Jadeja could become even more dangerous.
Axar, on the other hand, excels at building pressure with dot balls and effectively using the undercutter. Both spinners have been highly economical in the tournament, with Jadeja maintaining an economy rate of 4.78 and Axar an even better 4.51.
If conditions favor spin, this duo could prove to be a serious headache for New Zealand’s right-handed batters.
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