New Zealand's Predicted Playing XI for the 4th ODI against India
Before the commencement of the 5-match ODI series between India and New Zealand, a lot of fans expected the home side to give the Indian team a run for their money. However, the Kiwis have been bulldozed by the visitors in the first 3 ODIs and India have already sealed the series by taking an unassailable lead of 3-0.
They won the first ODI by 8 wickets, the second ODI by 90 runs and the third game by a margin of 7 wickets. The results indicate that the series has been lopsided thus far but with the Indian captain Virat Kohli rested for the remaining fixtures, New Zealand will be aiming to gather some momentum heading into the T20 series.
Here's what the home side's playing XI for the 4th ODI scheduled to take place tomorrow might look like:
Openers - Martin Guptill and Colin Munro
The opening combination of Colin Munro and Martin Guptill is believed to be one of the best opening pair of the modern era. But the two Kiwi batsmen have failed to perform well against the Indian pacers despite playing in home conditions. In the 3rd ODI, Guptill scored 13 runs off 15 balls while Munro could only manage to add 7 runs to the team's total.
Given that the World Cup is approaching soon, the New Zealand selectors would not be thinking of changing the opening pair and would give Guptill and Munro some time to return to form.
Also, New Zealand does not have any substitute openers in their squad, although Kane Williamson can open the innings, but that may tinker the entire batting order. So, Munro and Guptill should open the innings for NZ in the 4th ODI.