New Zealand look to thwart Indian challenge

Overview

New Zealand v India
1st ODI
McLean Park, Napier
Wednesday, 23 January, 15.00 local time, 02.00am GMT

There's little to pick between the two teams in the 50-over format. India have been in exceptional form and find themselves ranked No.2 on the MRF Tyres ICC Men's ODI Team rankings, but New Zealand are close on their heels at No.3.

Even in terms of form, both teams are even-footed. New Zealand whitewashed Sri Lanka in the three one-day internationals earlier this month, while India come into the series after a 2-1 victory over Australia.

The level of competition is expected to be high, and with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 on the horizon, it becomes more important for the teams to establish their prowess and settle in on combinations.

India will be without Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, who are out for disciplinary reasons, but they managed pretty well in their absence during the Australia series. One major reason for India's success in that series was the resurgence of MS Dhoni, who took the Player of the Series honours after scoring three successive fifties.

India will hope that the senior wicket-keeper batsman can continue in the same form as that only adds more weight to an already formidable batting line-up, featuring the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.

Kohli is currently ranked No.1 on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Rankings for batsmen. Sharma and Dhawan are two of the most destructive opening batsmen when on song.

So it will be imperative for New Zealand's bowlers to be on top of their game. They certainly have the talent to keep the best of batsmen in check. The established duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee have the support of Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry in the pace department.

In fact, Ferguson rattled Sri Lanka with his sheer pace in the ODIs and that is something India will need to be wary of. India can't afford to take it easy against the spinners either. Leggie Ish Sodhi was the leading wicket-taker in the Sri Lanka series, while left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner's return adds another dimension to the attack.

New Zealand's batsmen too will be challenged by an excellent bowling attack. Even in the absence of the rested Jasprit Bumrah, the No.1 ranked bowler in the format, India have the arsenal to trouble the best batsmen.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami did a fine job leading the pace attack during the Australia series. As for spinners, India are probably best armed in that department.

Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, both wrist-spinners, have learned ways to trouble batsmen on the best of batting pitches. Throw the accurate left-arm spin of Ravindra Jadeja into the mix and it's a well-rounded battery.

New Zealand have the batsmen to counter the threat. Ross Taylor has been in splendid form in five-over cricket and will want to leave his mark again. Apart from him, Henry Nicholls and Martin Guptill too got some runs in the Sri Lanka series, as did captain Kane Williamson. Williamson has been guilty of throwing away starts, but has the ability to correct that.

Key players

Ross Taylor (New Zealand): Since the start of 2018, Taylor has raked up 920 runs from 13 innings at an incredible average of 92.74. It will be crucial for him to carry his form into the series against India and continue leading the way for the home team.

Yuzvendra Chahal (India): The leg-spinner is ranked No.6 in the format, and showed why he's one of the very best when he picked up six wickets against Australia in the third ODI despite being left out for the first couple of games. He will be keen to weave a web around the Kiwis too.

Conditions

The wicket in McLean Park tends to favour swing bowlers, but even spinners get some purchase. The outfield does offer good reward for shots and batsmen can score quick runs once they get their eye set in. The weather is expected to be bright and sunny, and chances of rain are minimal.

Squads

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor

India: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Vijay Shankar, Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Shami