Team India are set to host New Zealand for the 1st ODI of the 3-match series in Hyderabad.
Team India are coming in from a 3-0 whitewash against Sri Lanka, where the batters had a fun time thrashing the bowlers. Virat Kohli continued his form as he smacked two centuries in the series and was adjudged the 'Player of the Match'. Shubman Gill smacked 70 runs in the 1st game and went on to notch a ton in the 3rd ODI. Rohit Sharma has got off to starts but failed to convert it into a big score. Along with KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer backed by Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian batting lineup looks potent to take on the Kiwi challenge.
Mohammed Siraj has been excellent amongst the bowlers, consistently providing early wickets for his team. Mohammed Shami has been partnering well with Siraj, while Umran Malik has been successful in picking up wickets in the middle overs. Choosing between Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav is going to be a conundrum for India as they have been going with only one wrist spinner in their playing 11 to maintain their team combination. Washington Sundar along with Hardik Pandya will also contribute to the bowling department.
New Zealand on the other hand are coming in fresh from a 2-1 victory in Pakistan and would back themselves against India, given their recent experience and performance in the subcontinent conditions. However, the team will be without their captain and vice-captain Kane Williamson and Tim Southee who have opted to rest after the tour to Pakistan. After Kane Williamson, Devon Conway was the highest run-getter in the ODI series against Pakistan, where the opener scored 153 runs in 3 innings with a ton and a fifty to his name. Glenn Phillips stepped up in the decider ODI and was scored a total of 103 runs in the series with a fifty to his name.
While Tim Southee was the top wicket-taker, spinner Michael Bracewell was the 2nd highest wicket-taker for the Kiwis with 4 wickets to his name in 3 matches. Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi picked up 3 wickets each, and Sodhi is expected to present a strong challenge against the Indian batters with his spin along with Mitchell Santner.
