Completely decimated at Wellington in the first T20I, India would surely be itching to bounce back and level the three-match T20 series against New Zealand.
If New Zealand clinch another victory at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday in the 2nd T20I, it would be India’s first bilateral series loss after July 2017.
The 80-run defeat in the first T20I against Zealand happens to be India’s largest defeat in its T20 Internationals in terms of runs. Even overall, India haven’t enjoyed much success against New Zealand in T20Is as out of nine matches, the former won just two.
New Zealand win by 80 runs. Go 1-0 up in the three match T20I series.#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/RDet7K7uqb
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 6, 2019
However, New Zealand also won’t enter Eden Park with great memories. They have played a total of 17 T20Is at the venue. Out of those matches, New Zealand lost nine and won six while two T20Is remained tied. The more worrisome fact is that New Zealand managed to bag just one victory in their last five T20Is at this venue.
The recent record says that Eden Park is a high scoring venue as the average first innings score there in last five T20Is has been recorded as high as 192.
Therefore, New Zealand – which registered the third highest T20I score by putting 219 runs on board in stipulated 20 overs in the first T20I – could again demonstrate their firepower.
Colin Munro – who played a blistering 34-run innings off just 20 balls in the first T20I – has the best strike rate of 215.50 at Eden Park for New Zealand.
For the second T20I, both teams are likely to make some changes. India may bring in Kuldeep Yadav while New Zealand may also include James Neesham in the playing XI.
