IND vs NZ 3rd T20I Live Cricket Score: Sanju Samson Faces Crucial Test in Guwahati
India is set to take on New Zealand in the third and decisive T20 International at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati tonight, with the series hanging in the balance. The match promises high stakes as the home team aims to secure a series victory, building momentum ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Toss and Playing XI Updates
All eyes are on the toss and the final playing XIs, which could shape the outcome of this thrilling encounter. India's lineup has seen some experimentation, particularly in the opening slots, adding an element of unpredictability to their strategy.
Sanju Samson Under the Microscope
Sanju Samson's return to the Indian squad after nearly a year has been met with mixed results. In the first two games of this series, his performances have raised concerns, especially regarding his ability to handle hard lengths and extra pace. With meagre returns and dismissals that highlighted technical shortcomings, Samson finds himself under intense scrutiny once again.
The Kerala batter's struggles in Nagpur and Raipur have put his place in the team in question, particularly with Ishan Kishan delivering a stellar half-century in the previous match at number three. Samson's response in Guwahati will be a major talking point, as India commits to an aggressive, slam-bang approach for the World Cup.
India's Bowling Unit Shines
Despite individual statistics not standing out, India's bowling unit has demonstrated remarkable collectivism. In the previous matches, none of the bowlers took more than two wickets or conceded less than Hardik Pandya's economy rate of 8.33. Yet, they effectively restricted New Zealand to below-par totals on benign surfaces with ample dew, showcasing a World Cup-winning potential.
This team effort was complemented by the batsmen, who chased down targets with ease, such as surpassing 209 runs in just 15.2 overs. The synergy between bowlers and batsmen underscores India's strength as they head into this crucial match.
Squad Details and Key Players
India Squad: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Shreyas Iyer, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel.
New Zealand Squad: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (captain), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Tim Robinson, Bevon Jacobs.
Stay tuned for real-time updates from Guwahati as this exciting T20I unfolds, with both teams vying for supremacy in a series that has captured the attention of cricket fans worldwide.
