New Zealand vs India Match Prediction: 4th T20I Odds & Tips

With the win in Game three, India have an unassailable 3-0 grip on this five-game series. While a series win is out of the question for the Black Caps, there’s still pride to play for, especially in front of their home crowd.

While the first two games of this series were very close, we saw a big blowout in Game 3. Once again, New Zealand batted first, putting on 198 runs, but this time, the visitors chased it down in just 13.2 overs. They scored a whopping 118 runs in the powerplay alone (a new record). If you’re having a bet on this game, make sure you check out our cricket betting tips first!

Odds thanks to Bankonbet (accurate at time of publication).

New Zealand

New Zealand’s bowlers have struggled throughout this series, and this was put on full display in Game 3, when India broke the record for the number of runs scored in the powerplay. In the end, India chased down the total New Zealand set in just 13.2 overs. Now, pride is all that’s on the line.

Once again, the Black Caps will be looking towards Glenn Phillips to step up. He has been a consistent danger throughout the series. Daryl Mitchell was also impressive in Game 3, smashing an unbeaten 89 from 52 balls. The likes of Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson are both unavailable for this one due to injury.

The Black Caps know what to do, but executing it will be harder. India’s explosive batting lineup needs to be contained. This will be hard to do at Eden Park, where there are the famous short straight boundaries. Mitchell Santner needs to step up even more with the ball as well.

India

Can India go undefeated in this series? We’ll have to see, but their batting power has helped them get across the line each time of asking. They have chased all three times so far this series, and the total was no joke either.

Man of the Match in Game 3, Abhishek Sharma, blasted 113 from just 38 balls, and it looks like the Kiwi bowlers simply don’t have a plan for him. It’ll be interesting to see what India do now in terms of their playing 11, now that they already have the series in the bag. 

More aggressive batting will be on the cards for the visitors, and they’ll look to take advantage of the short boundaries. They’ll be attacking from ball one and look to put the pressure back on the New Zealand bowlers, just like they have all throughout the series.

India has a 5-0 record over New Zealand in the last five T20I games. A few of these games would be considered blowouts as well, with India winning by 46 and 96 runs in January/ March. Also, who can forget last time out, when India chased down the total in just 13.2 overs.

The most vital trends that you should be aware of leading into this match: 

• Teams batting first at Eden Park have won 50% of the last 12 completed T20Is, meaning there isn’t really an advantage to batting first or second.
• The average first-innings total at Eden Park is 178 across the last 12 T20Is, but if this series is anything to go by, the team batting first will need a lot more runs!
• Abhishek Sharma hit 13 sixes in the last game, which is the most by an Indian batter in a T20I.

It’s always hard to predict dead rubber-type games, so I’m going to avoid tipping a specific team. Instead, my tip for BettingTop10 involves the team I think will have the top runscorer, which is India. We’ve seen it all throughout the series; the Indian side is littered with talent right throughout the lineup.

New Zealand do also have a decent batting lineup, but it seems like their bowlers are always a step behind the Indian batters. The visitors don’t need to change a thing, while the Kiwis need to try and overcome the batting power India possesses, which is easier said than done.

Take India to be the team of the top runscorer @ $1.73.

With the series already in India’s back pocket, will they rest on their laurels, or still come out firing to rub salt into the wounds of the home side? With a big crowd expected at Eden Park on Saturday, I think both sides won’t be impacted by the dead-rubber nature of the game. For all those thinking about placing a bet on this game, make sure you check out all the top bookies for any available betting bonuses!