India vs New Zealand predictions: Boult key man for Kiwis
- Trent Boult has dismissed Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma eight times
- India have struck the most sixes in all four of their games at the Cricket World Cup
- Recommended bet: Trent Boult to be New Zealand top bowler
India and New Zealand remain the only two teams to have won all of their games so far at this year’s World Cup but one side will lose their perfect record when they face off in this mouth-watering clash.
The pair met in the semi-finals of the World Cup four years ago, with New Zealand running out narrow winners.
India will be out for revenge and have started this tournament in dominant fashion, winning by at least six wickets in all four games, beating Australia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and arch rivals Pakistan.
New Zealand recorded an impressive win over England before seeing off the Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan with the minimum of fuss.
This matchup between two in-form sides is set to be an enthralling encounter in front of a raucous home crowd.
Team news
Hardik Pandya suffered a minor ankle injury in India’s last game and is expected to miss out in this clash.
Fellow all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin or paceman Mohammed Shami look likely replacements for Pandya, who should return later in the tournament.
Kane Williamson remains out with a thumb injury for New Zealand and with the Kiwi bowling attack having impressed so far, veteran Tim Southee looks likely to be kept out of the lineup.
In fact, the Black Caps may make no changes at all.
The stats
New Zealand have recorded the higher powerplay score in three of their four matches.
Either Ravindra Jadeja or Jasprit Bumrah have returned India’s best figures in each of their last five ODIs, so expect both men to be at the forefront again here.
India have completed four run chases of between 192 and 273, reaching the total within 42 overs on every occasion.
The captain winning the toss has elected to bowl in each of the seven one-day internationals played in Dharamsala.
Tom Latham has five half-centuries and two 100s in 20 ODI innings against India.
Prediction
India have been able to dictate terms in all four of their matches so far, bowling first in all four, and surely New Zealand will try and force them to do something else if they win the toss.
The hosts’ batting lineup has been able to make a fast start in all of their chases and, as a consequence, New Zealand’s opening bowlers Trent Boult and Matt Henry will be key.
Boult has yet to truly shine at this year’s tournament but has a rock solid record against India’s top order.
The veteran has dismissed Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma eight times in ODIs and that could be crucial.
