ICC World T20: 5 key battles to look forward in India vs New Zealand

#2 New Zealand openers vs Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah will have his work cut out against New Zealand openers

What Jasprit Bumrah means to the Indian team can be understood from the line that MS Dhoni said at the press conference that if Shami gets fit then he will replace Ashish Nehra and not Bumrah. A young guy with a handful of matches has become such an integral part of the team that an experienced guy like Nehra has his position under danger but Bumrah’s place is safe.

Bumrah has an unusual action and combined with the pace and swing he has, he is a wonderful bowler to have at the start of the innings. Though against him on 15 March will be two brilliant openers in Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson.

Guptill has been in the form of his life in the last year and Williamson is one of the best batsmen in the world. How Bumrah bowls to these two will define to a great extent how India proceeds in the game.