New Zealand vs India 1st ODI
©CWM
<
>
New Zealand vs India 1st ODI Preview: Both teams look to recalibrate with ODIs back in focus
The T20 World Cup is behind us and the focus now shifts to the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
Top Tournament Stats - India Tour of New Zealnad 2022
New-look India
Although there's still about a year for the tournament to begin, teams will start to try and get their pieces in place for the showpiece event.
India are without several of their regulars like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami but their squad is still strong enough to challenge any team around the world.
Stand-in captain Shikhar Dhawan is back in Indian colours in the only format he currently plays for the national side. He will be joined by Shubman Gill at the top of the order who has shown very promising signs in the few opportunities he has got in this format.
Suryakumar Yadav is likely to bat at number 3 in the absence of Virat Kohli. Although there might also be a temptation to rest him in order to include both Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson in the playing XI, the form in which the batsman is in, he would want to play as much cricket as possible at the moment.
SKY is not part of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh which will give him ample time to rest.
Rishabh Pant is India's leading wicket keeper in the 50 over format and is likely to bat at number 5. There is a choice between Sanju Samson and Deepak Hooda in the middle order. If both of them play ahead of Washington Sundar, it will weaken India's bowling line up.
Lord Shardul to be back in action
Shardul Thakur is expected to play, with Arshdeep Singh being rested. Deepak Chahar and Umran Malik are also likely to get a game. If he plays, tearaway Malik will be in the role of a middle overs enforcer which is essential given that wickets can be difficult to come by, especially in the middle overs in one day cricket.
Kuldeep Yadav has been waiting for his opportunity for a long time now after an impressive IPL season and might play ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal.
Latham, Williamson to return
New Zealand will continue with the opening combination of Devon Conway and Finn Allen, with Martin Guptill having been released from the New Zealand contract. Skipper Kane Williamson, who missed the third T20 International due to a pre-arranged medical appointment, is likely to be back to lead the side.
Tom Latham will be back in the fold as well and will take the gloves. He will bolster the Kiwi middle order alongside Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips.
Neesham or Bracewell?
James Neesham hasn't been able to produce the goods in recent times and will compete for his spot with Michael Bracewell who has been waiting for his opportunity. Without Ish Sodhi in the ODI squad, Mitchell Santner will be the team's leading spinner.
Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson will find the support of either Adam Milne or Matt Henry to round off the Kiwi pace attack.
Predicted Playing XIs
New Zealand - Finn Allen, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (C), Devon Conway (wk), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell/Jimmy Neesham, Tim Southee, Matt Henry/Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson
India - Shikhar Dhawan (C), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson, Deepak Hooda/Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal/Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Umran Malik
© Cricket World 2022
Rahul Dravid speaks ahead of 3rd ODI vs Australia
21 March 2023
Dilip speaks ahead of 1st ODI vs Australia
15 March 2023
Cricket World Player of the Week - Kane Williamson
14 March 2023
