KEY CLASHES

After winning the ODI series 2-1, the Indian cricket team will take on New Zealand in a three-match T20 series, starting Wednesday. Here is a look at five key battles which could shape the destiny of this series.

ASHISH VS MARTIN NEHRA GUPTILL

Left-arm pacer Ashish Nehra will end his 18-year international career with the T20 International at his home ground, the Ferozeshah Kotla.

He’ll look to sign off on a high but will face a stiff challenge from Martin Guptill, who has taken his ability to hit the ball to another level in the past few years. Currently hailed as New Zealand’s best white-ball cricketer, Guptill will look to attack from the word go.

YUZVENDRA VS TOM CHAHAL LATHAM

Tom Latham was New Zealand’s highest run-getter (206) in the three-match ODI series vs India and will hope to build on the momentum in the T20s. However, Yuzvendra Chahal — who bounced back in the last two ODIs after a poor show in Mumbai — will look to make visitors’ job tough and his duel with Latham will be interesting to watch. If Chahal can get his wicket early, New Zealand could be inserious trouble.

VIRAT VS ISH KOHLI SODHI

On Indian wickets, New Zealand will be heavily reliant on leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. The Ludhiana-born New Zealand player will hope to take full advantage of the favourable tracks. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, has been in stupendous form this year. He even scored two centuries in the ODIs. However, the Indian skipper will be aware of the challenge he’ll face from Sodhi, who could prove to be a dangerous customer on turning pitches.

ROHIT VS TRENT SHARMA BOULT

Recently, Rohit Sharma has had issues with left-arm fast bowlers and his dismissals have been almost similar. It’s the incoming deliveries that are troubling him. But in Kanpur, he seemed better equipped. An on-drive against Trent Boult — played with a straight bat and with the head not falling over — was an indication that Rohit had learnt from his mistake. If he continues to play Boult well, India will fancy their chances of getting the better of Kiwis.

JASPRIT VS KANE BUMRAH WILLIAMSON

During the Pune ODI, Bumrah targeted Williamson’s stumps throughout and didn’t allow him to score a single run. His accurate bowling paid off against New Zealand’s best batsmen as he had the Kiwi skipper trapped in front. In the series decider in Kanpur, Williamson played the seamer well and scored a half-century, studded with eight boundaries. Come November 1, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in this battle.