Five reasons why Indians won’t fear the Kiwis today

The last time India faced New Zealand, two months ago, they came away tails between legs. There were calls for the captain to be sacked &#15...

The last time India faced New Zealand, two months ago, they came away tails between legs. There were calls for the captain to be sacked — the coach too, if possible the whole team. Today, a day before they meet again, the Indians walk around Centurion with their heads held high, their confidence higher still.

The cast is the same, but the script couldn’t be more different. What’s happened in between to make India the favourites to win at Centurion? Here are five reasons:

THE TENDULKAR FACTOR: The Little Master came to New Zealand after missing the previous ODI series against the West Indies with a hamstring injury. However, he was obviously hampered by the injury and played just three of the seven ODIs. Scoring two runs.

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The eight matches he’s played here so far have seen him score: 52, 36, 81, 152, 50, 98, 5 and 97. Perhaps his best run ever, certainly the best any world cup has seen.

THE PITCHES: Enough has been said about New Zealand’s ‘drop-in’ temporary pitches. Conditions in South Africa are in favour of the Indians. Sehwag has gone on record as saying that the ‘‘wickets here are similar to the ones in India.’’ The sideways movement of the ball is limited.

So is the bounce, usually between the knee and the hip region, which is ideal for the Indian batsmen. As for the bowlers, whoever is willing to bend their back can get wickets. Precisely what the Indians have been doing.

THE INDIAN PACE ATTACK: In New Zealand, only Srinath was in his element; others were inconsistent. Zaheer had an injury during the series and missed a Test match while Nehra was a shadow of his present self.

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It was only during the ongoing World Cup that the three have reached the peak of their form and fitness. Kiwi all-rounder Chris Cairns has compared the Indian pace attack to that of the Aussies.

THE KIWI ATTACK: Besides Shane Bond and Darryl Tuffey, it was the swing bowlers — Jacob Oram and Andre Adams — who had troubled the Indians. But on the South African wickets, where there is very little seam movement on offer, they shouldn’t bother the Indians too much.

THE LAST MATCH: In the world cup, you’re only as good as your last match. India go in with huge confidence after that incredible win against Sri Lanka when all departments were on fire. New Zealand’s form can best be summed up by the sight of Jacob Oram holding his head in his hands after Brett Lee fired two consecutive sixes off the last two balls of Australian innings.