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The 3-match ODI series between India and New Zealand is tied at 1-1. The third match of the series will be played on Sunday (January 18) at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. In both the matches held so far, the team batting later has won. India chased the target of 301 runs in the first ODI played in Vadodara. Whereas New Zealand had easily achieved the target of 285 runs in Rajkot ODI.

Darryl Mitchell (131 not out) and Will Young (87) did not allow the Indian spinners to settle, due to which the New Zealand team never got into trouble during the run chase. The Kiwi team scored 126 runs in 18 overs against Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja and lost only one wicket in the form of Will Young. Will Young was also out at a time when the match was tilting in favor of New Zealand. On the other hand, the Indian team lost two wickets after adding only 87 runs in 23 overs against the spinners of New Zealand.

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Where is Team India getting stuck in front of spin?

In Rajkot ODI, the Indian team got a chance to bat first. It was a bit difficult to play the spinners in the afternoon. The shot selection of Indian batsmen made the Kiwi spinners more lethal. Team India’s batsmen were only looking to play with a straight bat. KL Rahul played a reverse sweep against Michael Bracewell in the 43rd over of the Indian innings. This was the only sweep shot of any kind by India against spin, while the Kiwis played 13 sweep shots of different types.

If batting comes first in Indore too, then the Indian team will have to focus more on sweeps against spin, so that they cannot catch the bat. Playing sweep shots will spoil the length of the spinners and the batsmen will get to play short or overpitched balls in abundance.

Who are the sweepers in the Indian team?

Team India’s batting order is set. There is less possibility of tampering in this, otherwise the Indian team has an excellent sweeper in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal. Among the batsmen who are going to play in Indore, Rohit Sharma seems to be the only one who plays sweep shot. Rohit also uses this shot only when he is in full rhythm. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul are sometimes seen playing sweep shots. Apart from these, no other sweeper is visible.

What will happen in big matches?

The Indian team was defeated by both pace and spin in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Team India had played only 2 sweep shots in 18 overs of spinners in this title match. After this, she never looked so helpless in front of spin till Rajkot ODI. In big matches, the Indian team will have to make extra preparations as usual to deal with the threat of spin or will have to look towards players who are adept at sweeping.

Apart from Yashasvi, Ruturaj Gaikwad is also an excellent sweeper. However, it is quite difficult to fit him in the playing XI. If there seems to be a place for someone, it is Akshar Patel. Akshar can be given a chance in place of Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja now seems capable of winning any ODI match with neither ball nor bat.