Mahendra Singh Dhoni was confident his young outfit would learn from the mistakes that cost them the first Twenty20 international in Wellington. However, they didn't learn quickly enough, and the upshot was a 2-0 defeat for the world champions. Now they are faced with the challenge of adapting to the 50-over format in conditions their batsmen haven't fully come to grips with yet and to counter a tenacious opponent expert in exploiting home advantage. From India's point of view it's vital they hit the ground running at McLean Park.
India's opening combination of Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag has played a pivotal role in their one-day success in 2008 but Gambhir has struggled in New Zealand. He was over-aggressive in the first Twenty20 international and failed to find his rhythm despite spending time at the crease in the second. The openers' failure to provide substantial starts has deprived the middle-order of the momentum they have become accustomed to. However, that partnership will be split in Napier when Sachin Tendulkar returns to open with Sehwag, Gambir dropping down the order. Tendulkar's return, though, means India will have one opener who is playing his first game of the tour, and a No. 3 yet to find form.
New Zealand are quietly confident after their upset win in the Twenty20s. Their fast bowlers provided early breakthroughs and the pressure was increased by Daniel Vettori, who was able to restrict a strong middle-order. They have also been bolstered by the recovery of the injured Kyle Mills, who will take the new ball and also provide depth to the batting line-up. However, their coach Andy Moles still called India the favourites whom New Zealand would "respect but not be scared" of. They have no reason to be scared, after running Australia extremely close in the drawn Chappell-Hadlee Series earlier in the month.
There is no doubt Sehwag has played his natural game, and that is how he should play, but he will be disappointed. And to say this is the only way he knows how to will be a discredit to Sehwag's cricketing acumen. What will disappoint him more, perhaps, is that India twice failed to capitalise on his quick starts. India will now want to look forward, to the one-day series where more McCullum-like endurance will be called for. The subtle adjustments needed in New Zealand conditions will become more important as the format of the game lengthens. "We are confident about each and every game," Mahendra Singh Dhoni said. "Even if we had won the last game, it wouldn't have made a difference. We have to keep repeating good work in every game of cricket."
Over the past week, Dhoni has given a good insight into how the Indian team has batted so far in New Zealand. He said the batsmen have been hitting almost everything off the middle of the bat in the nets, and almost everything in the matches. So it is a question of making technical and mental adjustments. Dhoni said he would leave it to the batsmen to assess a situation and bat accordingly.
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