Wednesday’s fourth T20I in Visakhapatnam pits a rampant India, leading 3-0 against New Zealand, against a backdrop of flat pitches primed for big hitting. India seeks a clean sweep, building momentum toward the T20 World Cup.
Wicketkeeper Sanju Samson enters under intense scrutiny, having scored a mere 16 runs across three failures. Ishan Kishan’s brilliance has sharpened the selection battle, but coaches stand firm behind him. Morne Morkel quashed rumors of unrest, affirming team unity.
A big score is imperative for Samson to reclaim his swagger. Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership has India peaking, spearheaded by Abhishek Sharma’s demolition job on bowlers. Billed as the ‘enforcer,’ his 14-ball fifty in Guwahati highlights his explosive potential, earning him poster-boy acclaim.
New Zealand coach Jacob Orme struggles to pinpoint flaws in Abhishek’s arsenal, emphasizing execution over strategy as the real test.
Reinforcements loom with Shreyas Iyer and injury-returnee Axar Patel in contention, the latter impressing in practice. New Zealand prioritizes growth over wins in this pre-World Cup tune-up.
Anticipate record-breaking entertainment that doubles as a wake-up call for World Cup hopefuls. No rain threats, but evening dew and mugginess could sway the contest. The ground’s history—India’s successful 209-run pursuit vs Australia—promises batter’s paradise.