India have proven themselves nearly unbeatable at home, but the one day series against a struggling and mentally out New Zealand side is a fresh challenge. Join The Roar for live scores of the first match from 7pm (AEDT).
India recorded a crushing 3-0 victory over the Black Caps in the Test series.
To put it bluntly, the Kiwis looked like a team that didn’t want to be there and had absolutely no idea about how to stop the onslaught of spin bowling from Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
New Zealand, of course, made the final of the most recent one day World Cup, but that was on home soil for the most part, giving them a distinct advantage.
Neither Ashwin or Jadeja have been named in India’s squad for the first three matches, in what is a relatively inexperienced but talented bowling line-up.
India will, as is always the case in the subcontinent, rely on brute force from their batting to bring a big total on pitches that are often roads.
Skipper MS Dhoni returns to the fold, and will be joined by the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane to spearhead the effort.
The Black Caps need to bowl well early through Trent Boult and Tim Southee to limit India’s runs, but more importantly by picking up wickets and putting their middle order under pressure – more or less forcing Kohli and Dhoni to be conservative.
Prediction
Whoever wins the toss will go a long way to winning this match, such is the importance of batting first on the subcontinent. Dharamsala often provides support for the new ball though, and if Trent Boult can use it he could take New Zealand a long way forward.
Still, at home and with MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli leading the cause, India should get the win.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of the first match in this One Day International series from 7pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
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