India vs New Zealand: Strengths and weaknesses of key bowlers | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: A T20 World Cup debacle, followed by an overhaul of the team management and now, a new-look Team India, under newly-appointed coach Raul Dravid and new T20I skipper in Rohit Sharma is all set for a fresh start. The first assignment for the new Rahul-Rohit duo is a challenging one — New Zealand — a team which has haunted the Indian camp in the recent past.
As Team India embarks on a new journey under a new leadership, a tough Kiwi challenge awaits Rohit Sharma and co. While quite a few key players will be missing from the two sides in the upcoming 3-match T20I series starting November 17, both sides will be looking to try out some of the fresh faces.
The bowling departments, in particular, might come up with some interesting choices. Fresh faces in the bowling attack, rubbing shoulders with the experienced ones and up against some quality batsmen, both the teams are heading towards an enthralling series contest that begins in Jaipur today.

Here TimesofIndia.com takes a look at some key bowlers and their strengths and weaknesses and how they might play a big role in the success of the two teams in the upcoming high-octane T20I series:
INDIA
Deepak Chahar
Strengths
* Precise line and length and the knack of picking wickets in the Powerplay
* Swinging the new ball both ways to both right and left handers
* Economical bowling at the start, keeping the scoreboard pressure on the opposition

Deepak Chahar (BCCI Photo)
Weaknesses
* A weak link in the pace attack in the middle and especially death overs
* When the new ball is not moving can go for runs in the Powerplay

Yuzvendra Chahal
Strengths
* Chokes the opposition for runs in the middle overs
* Slow in the air and allows the batsmen to go after him, in-turn forcing them to play false shots
* Speed variations often undo the batsmen and provides wickets at crucial junctures

Yuzvendra Chahal (AFP Photo)
Weaknesses
* Perhaps short on confidence after being dropped from the T20 World Cup squad
* Lack of variations could make him predictable
* Can occasionally go for runs when he misses his lengths, in-turn putting pressure on fellow bowlers

Harshal Patel
Strengths
* High on confidence after recent success in the IPL (highest wicket-taker)
* Precise line and length, not allowing the batsmen to score freely
* Main weapon – well disguised slower deliveries
* Death overs’ specialist, creates pressure on opposition in the final overs, in-turn can get multiple wickets in the back-end
* Good length variations
Potential Weaknesses
* Can be a nervous starter in his debut series for India
* Not used to bowling much at the start of the innings (Powerplay)
NEW ZEALAND
Trent Boult
Strengths
* Ability to swing the new ball both ways, especially into the right handers
* High on confidence after recent heroics in T20 World Cup
* Chokes the opposition batsmen for runs with accuracy
* A skillful death-overs specialist, with multiple speed and line variations (knuckle ball and bouncers) to fox the batsmen

Trent Boult (AFP Photo)
Weaknesses
* Can leak runs when put under pressure right from the beginning
Ish Sodhi
Strengths
* Bowls slow in the air, teasing the batsmen to go after him and in-turn picks up crucial wickets
* Accurate when it comes to sticking to a line
* Bowls economical spells, thereby creating pressure on the opposition in the middle overs
* Had a good outing in the T20 World Cup (except the final) and will be brimming with confidence
Weaknesses
* Might not be as effective under lights. The dew factor will also make it difficult to turn the ball
* Can go for plenty of runs on an off day, like in the T20 WC Final vs Australia (3 overs: 40 runs and 0 wickets)