Fourth India-New Zealand T20I at Eden Park, Auckland: what the pitch and short boundaries mean

Three matches have been played so far in the five-match T20 International series between India and New Zealand. India won all three and have taken the series. The two sides meet in the fourth T20I on Friday at Eden Park in Auckland.

After three defeats, New Zealand will try to win at home and restore their standing. India, who have built a strong lead in the series, will take the field without any pressure. The question is whether the Eden Park pitch will favour the batters or the bowlers.

Eden Park is known for its distinctive layout and its drop-in pitch. The ground's biggest feature is its short boundaries. The square boundary is about 65 metres, while the boundary on the one side is only about 55 metres. With such short distances, big hits come easily to batters. If they settle in, fours and sixes could flow.

Even so, fast bowlers are expected to get some early help. The new ball may get swing and seam movement, especially under cloud cover, which could help the quicks further. Batters will therefore have to play carefully in the early overs. Once the ball gets old and batters are set, scoring should become easier. The pitch also offers good bounce. On the whole, a high-scoring match is expected at Eden Park.

The fourth T20I will begin at 12:30 pm Indian time. The captains of both teams will step out for the toss half an hour earlier, at 12:00 noon.

The match will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network. Indian fans can watch it live on television on the Sony Sports channel. The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand can also be watched free on DD Sports.