The first match of the ongoing T20 series between India and New Zealand was a close finish. The second game lacked thrill as it panned out to be a one-sided affair. The one thing that was common in both the matches was India finishing both the games positively and managing to be on the right side of the result. The caravan now moves to Kolkata as both the sides will now battle it out in a dead rubber. Before the third T20I begins, let us look at the Kolkata cricket stadium pitch report and other relevant statistics.
Current Form
Team India has nailed it in most of the important areas so far in the series. That is why the hosts are 2-0 up. But, there is still a scope of improvement. Their openers have done most of the work, leaving very little for the middle-order to do. Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer have looked rusty and with not much on the line in the next game, they could be promoted. Venkatesh Iyer was the no.3 in the last match and could continue to bat in the same position.
Although, Indian bowlers suffered a hammering at the hands of Kiwi openers in the powerplay, they pulled the game in their corner in the next 14 overs. Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel gave only 19 and 26 runs respectively in their quota of overs. Debutant Harshal Patel bowled his heart out as he took 2 wickets, giving mere 25 runs in 4 overs. Deepak Chahar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar had an off-day and will look to come hard in the upcoming match.
On the other hand, New Zealand will look to end the series on a bright note. They faced Australia in the final of the recently concluded T20 World Cup but their dismal performance in the series against India has left fans pondering. From batting to bowling, nothing has clicked for them. Their lead pacer Trent Boult has not looked himself lately. Tim Southee was hammered all over the park in the first game but was the pick of the bowlers in the previous T20I. Adam Milne also saw the ball travel long distances, while Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner were average.
Kolkata Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The last T20I match played at the venue was held on 4th November 2018. It was a low-scoring affair between India and West Indies, which the hosts won convincingly. The wicket has not changed much since then. The pacers can extract swing from the wicket early on, while there is something for the spinners as well. Adopting a cautious approach in the early overs, batters can breathe easy later on and can tee at the end stage of the innings.
T20I records at Eden Gardens
Total Matches Played: 7
Matches Won Batting First: 2
Batting Won Batting Second: 5
Tie: 0
Average Score (Batting 1st): 143
Highest Score: Pakistan 201/5
Lowest Score: Bangladesh 70/10
Domestic T20 Records at Kolkata Cricket Stadium
Total Matches Played: 77
Matches Won Batting First: 31
Matches Won Batting Second: 46
Tie: 0
Average Score (Batting 1st): 160
Highest Score: Kolkata Knight Riders 232/2
Lowest Score: Royal Challengers Bangalore 49/10
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Weather Report during IND vs NZ match
Fans are in for a treat as they will get to see a full game of 40 overs. The maximum temperature will be around 32 degree celsius and will drop to 23 degree celsius. Rain is not expected to play the spoilsport as the chances of precipitation are only 6 per cent.