New Delhi: When the Indian Cricket Team led by Virat Kohli took the field against New Zealand at the T20 World Cup ingoing men on Sundays, they would aim to leave a ghost of bad records versus black hats in the main events of the International Cricket Council (ICC ) Behind and new historical scripts on the world cricket map.
Many times, New Zealand has proven that they are one of the toughest opponents for India in the ICC tournament with the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) final in June.
India has defeated every opposition team that challenges on the ICC event in the last or more decades, but they have failed to solve the mystery of the black hat.
Kiwi did not depend on individual brilliance, they hunted in unison and always punched above their weight in the ICC tournament.
They have consistent records in the ICC event and someone cannot put aside them for a place in four finals.
Win Seven-Wicket India at the 2003 World Cup under Sourav Ganguly was the last time they beat the kiwi in the ICC tournament.
Since then India has lost every match with a black hat on the ICC event and it won’t be an easy task for the blue people right now.
The first five meetings: 2021 Final Championship World Test: New Zealand beat India by 8 numbers in Southampton.
The 2019 World Cup semi-finals: New Zealand beat India at 18 Run in Manchester.
2016 T20 World Cup: New Zealand defeated India by 47 Run in Nagpur.
The T20 World Cup 2007: New Zealand beat India as many as 10 runs in Johannesburg.
2003 World Cup: India beat New Zealand by 7 Wicket in Centurion.
New Zealand also holds the advantage above India in all T20IS.
In 16 meetings, it has managed a record 8-6 (win-loss) over India – the success rate of 56.25 becomes the best for any country towards a blue man in the format.
Challenge: In the first T20 World Cup match, the opening spell of fiery from Pakistan Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi blew the Top Order of India and New Zealand also has a high high bowler – Trent Boult, Southe Team, Lockie Ferguson and Kyle Jamieson, Can swing the ball over powerbay.
Top 3 India featuring Kl Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli must carefully address the swing and deadly steps to win the battle against the kiwi.
The number failure means that Indian batteries cannot face Pakistani spinners – Imad Wudiim, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Heafez during the Central Overs and people like Ish Sodhi and Mitchell are also unlikely to give a gift to ‘men with blue’.
In Bowling too, ordinary performances Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja against Pakistan did not give confidence.
But, the inclusion of Shardul Thakur, which is in the form of red-hot and R Ashwin, can bring some fresh changes to India when they face a black hat batting line featuring Martin Guptill, Seifert team, Kane Williamson, Conway Devon and others.
The road in front: Even though the Indian team currently surprises everyone with bad performances from time to time in recent years, they also show that they have the ability to make a roaring comeback.
Whether it opposes Australia or England, this Indian team has made an amazing comeback every time their ability is questioned.
It will be very challenging but the Virat Kohli brigade has the talent and ability to provide a certain litmus test for the Kane Williamson boy.
Six Teams: New Zealand, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Scotland and Namibia are placed in group 2 and the top two sides will develop into the semifinals.
If India fails to defeat New Zealand, it can be an interesting race in Group 2 to qualify for the past four.
In the T20 format, any team can beat others on the day they are given and India will definitely not want to take a lightweight side especially after suffering the embarrassing 10-goal defeat against Pakistani Arch-Rivals.
New Zealand, an unpleasant opposition for India at the ICC event
