Rampaging India hope for Samson to bounce back

With Tilak Varma set to be fit in time for the World Cup, the wicket- keeper opener has only two more chances to find runs

- Rasesh Mandani

With two matches to go and the series already in the bag, India have an opportunity to tighten loose ends, experiment with combinations and even employ whacky strategies if they want to.

The hosts and reigning champions could not have been ina happier space ahead of a World Cup as they aim to defend the crown for only the second time in the T20 tournament's 18-year odyssey.

The rest of the New Zealand series will be played down South in Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram, where a scarcity of international matches will ensure packed stands.

As the 3-0 scoreline suggests, things have fallen in place as a collective for the hosts. Tilak Varma’s absence has been made up by Ishan Kishan’s counterpunching knocks. Axar Patel’s injured finger - he has resumed light bowling in the nets - robbed the hosts of a crucial all-round balancing force. But they have found an alternative way to plug the gap in Harshit Rana, ensuring batting depth. Ravi Bishnoi putting his hand up when Varun Chakravarthy was rested in Guwahati makes hima viable option if Washington Sundar does not recover in time. When the linen is so welllaid, it’s difficult to spot any creases. But, in a team sport, they are always there.