What

The fourth ODI between an Indian team that has already clinched the series and a Kiwi outfit that are now playing for pride.

When

December 7, 2010. The game begins at 2:30 pm, IST.

Where

M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

The series so far:

Terming the series one sided might be a euphemism if you are an Indian fan, a bit too harsh if you come from New Zealand. The Kiwis probably had their best chance in the first game of the series where they came to within 40 runs of beating India, but that has been the closest they’ve got. At Jaipur and then in Vadodara, India have comprehensively outplayed the visitors, an 8-wicket win followed by a 9-wicket victory proof of their superiority in both games.

Munaf Patel (Econ. rate – 3.88) and R Ashwin (Strike Rate – 29.0) have bowled exceedingly well, while Gautam Gambhir (avg. 302.00) and Virat Kohli (avg. 116.00) have been in sublime touch. For New Zealand, none of the top order batsmen have played consistently well, which shows in the Kiwis having a different batsman as the leading scorer in each of the three ODIs - Ross Taylor (66 at Guwahati), Martin Guptill (70 at Jaipur) and James Franklin (72* at Vadodara). But what has really hurt the Kiwis the most is the ineffectiveness of their pacemen. Their economy rates are 5.65 upwards, and the averages too don’t particularly make for pleasant reading.

With the series in their pocket, India will be keen to give Praveen Kumar or/and Saurabh Tiwary an opportunity for this game at Bengaluru. Also, Parthiv Patel is expected to keep wickets in this match since Wriddhiman Saha is now on duty for the South Africa series. New Zealand though, will still look to field their best XI in the hope of leaving Indian shores on a high.

The venue (quick facts):

First ODI: 1982

ODIs hosted: 17

India record: Wins - 10 – Losses – 4 – NR - 1

New Zealand record: Wins- 0 – Losses - 2

Highest Total: Australia 347/2 v India – November 12, 2003

Lowest Total: India 168 all out (42.1 overs) v Pakistan – April 04, 1999

Highest score: Shaun Pollock– 130 (Africa XI) v Asia XI - June 6, 2007

Best bowling figures in an innings: Paul Jarvis (England) – 8.4-1-35-5 v India – February 26, 1993

The Teams (probable Playing XIs):

India: Gautam Gambhir (c), Murali Vijay, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, Parthiv Patel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Praveen Kumar.

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (c), Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Kane Williamson, Nathan McCullum, Gareth Hopkins (wk), Andy McMay, Kyle Mills, and James Franklin.