After a rather uneventful T20 series, India and New Zealand will lock horns in a three-match ODI series. The first match will take place on Friday at Eden Park.
Both teams are currently recovering from the shackles of the T20 World Cup, in which they were knocked out in the semi-finals. India, however, is a tad closer after cruising to victory in the T20 series, which ended rather abruptly.
Be that as it may, India will be led by a new captain, as Shikhar Dhawan will lead the side owing to Rohit Sharma’s absence. This also reiterates that the men in blue will be employing a new opening pair yet again.
Dhawan hasn’t witnessed a lot of international cricket ever since KL Rahul announced his arrival. However, with Rahul’s form and place in the team currently shrouded in mystery, Shikhar would be hoping to make a mark for the selectors to take him seriously for the 50-over World Cup scheduled to take place next year.
Joining him on the crease might be one of India’s finest young talents, Shubman Gill. Despite missing out on an opportunity in the shortest format of the game, Gill, too, would be hoping to cement his position as he rightly has in test cricket.
With all said and done, India’s middle order, too, has been a subject of much debate. In the absence of Hardik Pandya, the Indian bench will be relying on Rishabh Pant to get the job done in the dying embers of the game. While he performed well in the series against England earlier this year, the raw hitter needs to show some consistency.
Pant will be joined by Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer in the middle order. While SKY needs no introduction, it remains to be seen if he can replicate his T20 form in the 50-ver format.
Iyer, on the flip side, has been one of the most consistent 50-over batsmen for the men in blue. He has a 100 and three 50-plus scores in his last five ODI innings, so it’s safe to say that India will be banking on him.
The series might also mark the return of Shardul Thakur and Sanju Samson. India will be banking on Arshdeep Singh to lead the attack after a rather successful run during the recently concluded T20 World Cup.
Umran Malik, who has been warming the bench ever since he made his T20 debut, might make his debut in the longer format of the game. India will be relying on his raw speed and bounce to trouble the Kiwis.
As for New Zealand, the side will be led by Kane Williamson, who finds himself in a sticky situation. However, it’s possible that the Kiwi lineup will feature Michael Bracewell, who has scored over 250 runs in nine matches, with an average of 65.00.
Despite his lacklustre performances of late, Finn Allen is most likely to open the innings for the Kiwis with Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips will feature in the middle order.
Furthermore, the middle order remains a matter of grave concern for New Zealand as well. The Kiwis were in the driving seat against India in the penultimate T20I. Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway had put the Black Caps in a commanding position. Sadly, the Kiwis lost six wickets adding just three runs on the board after both batsmen were sent back to the pavilion.
Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner, both of whom had played well against India, will play an instrumental role in guiding New Zealand to bagging bragging rights against an in-form Indian team.
What have they done so far?
Despite boasting a more experienced squad, New Zealand is low on confidence after losing in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup and subsequently, the T20 series against India.
India, on the flip side, boasts a rather young squad, With the shortest format of the game now sidelined, both teams will be hoping to return to winning ways. More so for India as the Kiwis have in the last couple of years been a dominant force both at home and away.
Head to Head Record
India has lost their last five 50–over matches against New Zealand. India has faced New Zealand 114 times, of which they’ve won 55 games.
The Kiwis have got the better of the Indian roster 49 times and the two teams have shared the loot in 10 matches.
Key Players
Suryakumar Yadav (India)
Yadav has had a tremendous year so far. He has been the most consistent batsman for the Indian lineup and is ending the year with the most runs against his name in the shortest format of the game.
During the post-match interview, after the 3rd T20 against New Zealand, Yadav said that his intent will be the same during the ODI series. However, his aim will be to put the team in a commanding position and hold wickets as well as being the aggressor.
Suryakumar Yadav will be hoping to continue his amazing run
Yadav has also found himself in turbulent waters with wickets falling on the other end, reiterating that the onus will be on him to play a more conservative role if a similar situation arises.
Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
Despite a few underwhelming knocks here and there, Phillips has been the most reliable batsman for the Kiwis. Moreover, with Williamson also currently riding low on confidence and struggling with form, the Kiwis will be banking on Phillips to hold the end and guide them to victory.
Phillips will be hoping to make a dent in the ODI series after finding form in the last T20I against India.
Predicted Playing XI
India: Shikhar Dhawan ©, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Deepak Hooda, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Finn Allen, Kane Williamson ©, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson
Prediction
With how things have been of late, India is the favorite to win the ODI series as well. However, India has found itself in murky waters while setting up a total on board while battling first.
New Zealand will bag the first game, but India will go on to win the next two matches and subsequently the series. However, that’s only if rain doesn’t ruin our hopes of seeing two of the best white-ball teams take jibes at each other.
