After defeating Australia in the recently-concluded ODI series, the Indian side will be high on confidence as they take on the New Zealand side for a five-match ODI and three-game T20I series. With smaller grounds and shorter boundaries, New Zealand is known for producing high-scoring tracks and the upcoming clash between the two sides should have plenty of runs as well.
Both teams are equipped with world class and in-form batters, who can take the game away single-handedly on the day. While the Indians will rely on the trio of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to hand them good stars, the home team will be led forward by skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, who averaged more than 90 in the format in 2018. With nothing to choose from in the batting department, it will be the bowling unit that will likely shift games with their accuracy and consistency. The duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have been troubling the rivals for well over a year and the way the Black Caps handle their spin will be crucial to the outcome of the series.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: MS Dhoni (8.5 credits)
After a below par 2018, where he averaged just 25 in 20 games, Dhoni came roaring back to form against Australia, where he ended with the Man of the Series award. The former skipper managed to convincingly finish off games, staying till the end in the last two games to ensure India was across the line.
After defeating Australia in the recently-concluded ODI series, the Indian side will be high on confidence as they take on the New Zealand side for a five-match ODI and three-game T20I series. With smaller grounds and shorter boundaries, New Zealand is known for producing high-scoring tracks and the upcoming clash between the two sides should have plenty of runs as well.
Both teams are equipped with world class and in-form batters, who can take the game away single-handedly on the day. While the Indians will rely on the trio of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to hand them good stars, the home team will be led forward by skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, who averaged more than 90 in the format in 2018. With nothing to choose from in the batting department, it will be the bowling unit that will likely shift games with their accuracy and consistency. The duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have been troubling the rivals for well over a year and the way the Black Caps handle their spin will be crucial to the outcome of the series.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: MS Dhoni (8.5 credits)
After a below par 2018, where he averaged just 25 in 20 games, Dhoni came roaring back to form against Australia, where he ended with the Man of the Series award. The former skipper managed to convincingly finish off games, staying till the end in the last two games to ensure India was across the line. Though Dhoni is struggling to keep his strike-rate in the 90s, he can get crucial half-centuries, as he emphatically displayed against the Aussies a few days ago.
Batsman: Rohit Sharma (10 credits)
As mentioned, both teams have some of the biggest hitters in the format but I have gone ahead with Rohit Sharma as my batsman because of his unparalleled hitting abilities. On small grounds, the Indian player is a treat to watch and if he gets set, there are high chances that he will carry his bat through. Rohit already has three double hundreds to his name in 50-overs, which further signifies how dangerous he can be.
All-rounder: Colin de Grandhomme (8 credits)
The Kiwi star missed out the ODIs against Sri Lanka but is back for the series against India. Though Grandhomme has only a high score of 74 in the format, his ability to play the quickfire cameos down the order makes him a player to watch out for. In 50-over games, he has a strike-rate of more than 105, which signifies how crucial he is to the line-up. He can also pick up crucial wickets with the ball.
Bowler: Kuldeep Yadav (9 credits)
Kuldeep Yadav did have a tough outing in Australia, where he conceded 120 runs in 2 games whilst picking up only 2 wickets before being dropped for the last ODI. However, the wrist-spinner is a wily player and he will be itching to have a go against the Kiwi players who have not faced him much. He has a bowling average of 21.23, which has come about by playing matches in South Africa and England, so Kuldeep does know a trick or two about striking even in conditions that might not be too spin-friendly.
Captain: Rohit Sharma
Vice-captain: Kuldeep Yadav
