World T20 Champs Super 8s & KOs, Feb 21-March 8

[meninblue]

Well played Brian. A good knock against a top T20i team with specialist bowlers like Jasprit, Arshdeep and Varun. He survived all of them and 97 runs from 57 balls at sr of 164.40 is impressive in context. Zimbabwe reduced the loss margin by 72 runs.

Two more points for Team India. A must win match coming up against West Indies on Sunday at Eden Gardens.

[Durhamfootman]

I just don't understand why India persevere with Dube. They keep bringing him on and he keeps getting clattered. This time he comes on and bowls a 10 ball over that goes for 26..... and it's not the first time in this tournament. From what I can tell, he's hopeless. What am I missing? What does he bring and how badly will it cost India at some point?

Shivam has been used as a 6 bowling option in all series leading to this WC.

So on some types of wickets these spin part timers cannot be used and he is the only option in the squad.

Might need to re-think that strategy

46 runs inc 2 nb and 4 wides is a lot to leak in 2 overs.

[meninblue]

I just don't understand why India persevere with Dube. They keep bringing him on and he keeps getting clattered. This time he comes on and bowls a 10 ball over that goes for 26..... and it's not the first time in this tournament. From what I can tell, he's hopeless. What am I missing? What does he bring and how badly will it cost India at some point?

Shivam has been used as a 6 bowling option in all series leading to this WC. The last series NZ series, SA prior to that and Aus before that. That trend continues in this World cup as well. He does picks a wicket in odd match but he leaks lot of runs and releases the required run rate pressure. His bowling has been only good for opponents to score and as you pointed out,correctly, he has actually cost matches with his bowling not just at tough international level but also in IPL. However, India like all teams needs the sixth bowler and the team think tank is trying to keep him active in match situations in hope of developing him.

Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma are the other 6th bowler options but then they are spin part timers unlike Shivam who is medium pace bowling between 120 to 125 kph.So on some types of wickets these spin part timers cannot be used and he is the only option in the squad.

To add, India has had a great run in last two years in T20i cricket. Think no series lost yet. So that allows India to experiment or get away with his bowling performances while he works on his bowling.

[bigfluffylemon]

India WI is a straight up quarter final now.

England NZ has lower stakes - it is still possible for NZ to go out with a loss if Pakistan beat SL, but the NRR swing would need to be massive.

Not sure it'll make that much difference finishing top or 2nd. There's no easy draw in the semis.

[meninblue]

I just don't understand why India persevere with Dube. They keep bringing him on and he keeps getting clattered. This time he comes on and bowls a 10 ball over that goes for 26..... and it's not the first time in this tournament. From what I can tell, he's hopeless. What am I missing? What does he bring and how badly will it cost India at some point?

Shivam has been used as a 6 bowling option in all series leading to this WC.

So on some types of wickets these spin part timers cannot be used and he is the only option in the squad.

Might need to re-think that strategy

46 runs inc 2 nb and 4 wides is a lot to leak in 2 overs.

India needs to get a specialist bowler alongside Jasprit, Arshdeep and Varun against good teams in crucial matches. Ideally Kuldeep should be in playing 11 against West Indies. Atleast there should be 4 specialist bowlers in the bowling attack.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wow. Rehan is in for Overton. Must be a used pitch.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Nice start for NZ. Might be a good toss to win.

[meninblue]

6 er. Clean hit by Glen Phillips. Middle of the bat. NZ 73 /2.

[meninblue]

Shot Straight down the ground by Glenn Phillips. 4 more.

[meninblue]

First ball wicket for Rehan. Rachin caught out for just 11.

NZ 97/3 in 11.1 overs.

[meninblue]

New Zeland are much better placed at 116/3 from 13 overs. England needs wickets immediately to keep the target under check.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Why is Bethell bowling? He's taken an over off a much better bowler.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Keeping the total below 200 would be a reasonable effort from here.

[meninblue]

And Adil get Mark Chapman stumped out. NZ 123/4. He is the one who has got good turn. Liam Dawson did not get as much. Jacks hardly gets turn anways.

Ish Sodhi will be glad to see the ball spin. It seems that he and other NZ bowlers will also have a good score to bowl at.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England spinners doing a good job.