India vs New Zealand: 5 players to watch out for in the ODI series
The stage is perfectly set for the ODI feast to begin at the scenic Dharamshala on October 16. India and New Zealand are set to play 5 ODIs, in what promises to be a cracking series, between these two heavyweights.
The Indian side led by the cool-headed Mahendra Singh Dhoni has his work cut out as they take on the young and vibrant Kiwis. The Indian skipper is straight away under the pump to prove a point, as the last series victory for them came in 2014 against England.
Also read: India vs New Zealand: India's possible ODI XI to face the Kiwis
Also, India will lose some of its experienced players in the bowling department who have been given a rest after a hard toil in the Test series, which makes the situation even more tedious. On the contrary, the New Zealand side has opted for the right mix of exuberant youth and some experienced individuals.
The visitors too, have a few vulnerable cricketers in their side with the likes of Martin Guptill and Corey Anderson struggling for form.
New Zealand after losing the Test series 3-0, will be hoping to put up a better performance in the ODI series. Below we dissect the five players to watch out for in the upcoming ODI series.
#1 Manish Pandey
How can one forget his heroics in Sydney earlier this year, which secured India a famous win? With an average of 92.50 in 7 matches, the right-hand batsman is off to a rollicking start to his international career.
The elegant middle order batsman will be looking to carry the momentum and cement his place in the Indian side permanently. Pandey brings a lot to the table as he is lively in the field as well and is probably one of the best fielders in the world at the moment.
After a splendid outing against the Australia A side where he accumulated 267 runs, the 27-year-old has rightly earned his place in the Indian side. Pandey is one batsman who plays both spin and pace with ease and once he gets settled one can expect him to score big on wickets which are conducive to batting.