India vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Preview and Predicted Playing XI
After creating history in Australia, the Men in Blue have reached their next destination and will aim for a similar impact. They go up against New Zealand in the opening fixture of the five-match ODI series on Wednesday at the McLean Park in Napier.
Head to Head Overall: Both nations have clashed in 96 completed ODI's against each other, with the Indians leading the head-to-head scoreline at 51-45, with one game ending in a tie.
Head to Head in New Zealand: In case of fixtures being played on New Zealand soil, the home team undoubtedly leads at 21-10. While at McLean Park the scoreline is slightly edging towards the Kiwis at 3-2.
Previous Series face-off: Both teams last faced each other in a three-game series during New Zealand 2017 tour of India, with Kohli's men comprehensively thrashing the Kiwi's 2-1.
Previous Series in New Zealand: Men in Blue last toured Kiwi's in 2014 for a five-match ODI series and faced a brutal 4-0 defeat on the hands of Kiwis.
Previous Clash at McLean Park: In their previous meeting at this venue during 2014 tour, the hosts registered a 24 run win. After being put in to bat first, New Zealand rode on Kane Williamson (71) and Corey Anderson (68*) impressive knocks to post competitive 292 runs on the board.
In reply, the visitors showed some fightback with Virat Kohli (123) and skipper MS Dhoni (40) leading the chase. But the hosts certainly pulled things back with the wicket of Dhoni, as India's chase scrambled from 224/4 to 268/10.
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India
The Indian team will certainly be brimming with confidence after their impressive show against Australia and they will aim to take the momentum against New Zealand to end their drought in New Zealand.
Batting
The Men in Blue posses a strong batting lineup in Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and MS Dhoni. Dhoni ended previous series against the Aussies as leading run scorer and was termed Man of the Series for his consecutive fifties. The finisher is expected to play a similar role here as well.
Virat Kohli is going through a supreme form and also scored a century in his previous outing at this venue during 2014 tour.
The skipper will be eager to replicate the same here. Openers Rohit and Dhawan will mostly hold the key in team's success in New Zealand and if they provide a good start to innings, it'll be a certain plus and considering their recent form, it doesn't look difficult.
Bowling
In terms of bowling, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar will once again lead the pack along Mohammad Shami, these two were most consistent performers during Australia series with respective figures of 2/66, 4/45, 2/28 and 0/46, 3/58, 2/47, and one may expect them to make it a regular affair in New Zealand as well.
While Yuzvendra Chahal (6/42) was the pick of the lot in final ODI against Australia and will be backed by skipper to rattle the Kiwis with his variations.
Expected Playing XI
Virat Kohli (c), MS Dhoni (wk), Yuzvendra Chahal, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Kedar Jadhav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja, Vijay Shankar/Khaleel Ahmed and Kuldeep Yadav
New Zealand
The Kiwi's become a team to reckon with especially in their own conditions, evident by the fact that they have lost just three out of 16 ODI fixtures they hosted since December 2017. While Men in Blue also have not been able to beat them in their previous six clashes within Kiwi shores.
This certainly gives Kane's men a psychological advantage ahead of the game, but they clearly know that one can't take Kohli's brigade lightly especially after their recent show in Australia.
Batting
Ross Taylor is going through the form of his life and played a key role in New Zealand recent clean sweep over Sri Lanka. Taylor scored 281 runs against the Asian Islanders comprising two fifties and century in three games, and he can be no less then a nemesis if not dismissed early on.
Henry Nicholls is coming of an unbeaten 124 in final ODI against Islanders, and he will get management's backing to replicate his show against India.
While Martin Guptill, Colin Munro and skipper Kane Williamson are three dangerous players in the side, where Guptill scored a century in the opening fixture, Kane has been quite consistent with his show and Munro posses the ability to change the flow of the game on his own.
Bowling
Ish Sodhi was their key performer against Sri Lanka with eight wickets in three games and the Indian origin spinner will once again be their key weapon against India. Meanwhile they boasts one of dangerous pace line up in Trent Boult and Tim Southee.
Both will play key roles in Powerplay and death overs and will be expected to attain few scalps upfront. While Lockie Ferguson was quite impressive in the last series picking up six wickets and he will be expected to make things tough in the middle overs.
Expected Playing XI
Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham (wk), Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee and Ross Taylor
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