Rohit Sharma called correctly as India won the toss and opted to bowl against New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup on Sunday.
New Zealand and India are the only unbeaten sides in the competition, with four consecutive wins and eight points each. They are only separated in the points table by run-rate – New Zealand leads with +1.923 to India’s +1.659.
New Zealand has beaten England, the Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan while India has notched up wins over Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is unavailable for their table-topping clash due to a left ankle injury sustained in its previous game against Bangladesh in Pune. In his place, the hosts have brought in Suryakumar Yadav who will bat at No. 6.
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The two-time champions have also made another change, bringing in pacer Mohammed Shami for bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur.
New Zealand is unchanged from its previous win over Afghanistan in Chennai. Star batsman and skipper Kane Williamson is still unavailable because of a thumb injury, and Latham leads the side again in his absence.
With the Black Caps’ pacers doing well in the tournament, wrist spinner Ish Sodhi sits out his fifth consecutive game.
The pitch at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala is expected to have something for everyone. Fast bowlers should find some early movement in either innings, with spin coming into play later in the game.
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A shorter ground should entice batsmen and cooler autumn temperatures will help with dew formation, aiding the chasing side.
Teams:
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Lokesh Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (captain), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult