India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI: Will Umran Malik replace Shardul Thakur?

India will be expecting more runs from the middle order and discipline in the death overs as they look for a series sealing win against New Zealand in the second ODI on Saturday. Umran Malik could be beneficial to take wickets with his pace and bounce. Hardik Pandya, who has not been at his belligerent best of late, will be expected to give final flourish to the innings. After being down and out at 131/6. New Zealand were allowed to score another 206 runs in the chase of 350 and that should worry India.

The visitors looked like getting a remarkable come-from-behind win but the individual brilliance of Mohammed Siraj stopped them. With the bat, Shubman Gill, who scored a scintillating double century, had singlehandedly taken India to a competitive total with the others falling by the wayside. Hardik Pandya, who has not been at his belligerent best of late. Will be expected to give final flourish to the innings.

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Umran Malik can replace Shardul Thakur, sheer pace over variation?

Accommodated in the middle-order following his double-hundred performance in Bangladesh. Ishan Kishan would be itching to make the most of the opportunity after an off-day in Hyderabad. India brought Shardul Thakur into the team at the expense of the super quick Umran Malik considering his batting abilities. But the management needs to decide quickly if it wants a bowler who can bat or a specialist. Who can rattle the opposition with extra pace and get wickets in the middle overs.

In the spin department, had a game to forget while Kuldeep Yadav continued his impressive run. The team also has the option playing Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep together. But it has stuck to one wrist spinner and one finger spinner policy. Shahbaz Ahmed is another option that the men in blue can look at. Hardik Pandya, who has not been at his belligerent best of late, will be expected to give final flourish to the innings.

India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI Probable Playing XI:

IND: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan(wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami

NZ: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Lockie Ferguson, Blair Tickner