India vs New Zealand | India’s predicted XI for first ODI in Napier

Openers

Rohit Sharma: New Zealand is one country who have questioned Rohit Sharma’s batting style in ODI cricket, time and again. However, that was the Rohit of the past whose impatience was a cause of concern for the Indian team management. Five years on, he is one of the most mature and lethal openers in the world now. Don’t be surprised if you see a carnage in Napier tomorrow.

Shikhar Dhawan: Gone are those days when New Zealand used to provide one of the toughest conditions for batsmen and 300 used to be a difficult target to chase. However, after the reworking of the pitch, the wickets have become flatter day by day and Dhawan thrives on such surfaces more than anyone else. 

Middle-order

Virat Kohli: There have been so many breathtaking centuries by Virat Kohli in ODIs, but if I would pick one century for the sheer audacity of it, it had to be 123 at McLean Park in 2014. It was the sheer exhibition of calculative assault that right now we have come on to associate Kohli with. As he returns to the same venue again, he will have the happy memories of that innings to take inspiration from.

MS Dhoni: While Rohit Sharma stated that No. 4 is the best position for MS Dhoni to try, Virat Kohli made it clear that Dhoni would walk in at No. 5. However, the minor injury that Rayudu sustained in the Melbourne ODI while fielding as a substitute fielder may keep the Hyderabad boy out of the team to allow the former Indian skipper to bat at No. 4.

Kedar Jadhav: The Maharashtra all-rounder formed a solid partnership with MS Dhoni in the MCG ODI and was one of the biggest reasons behind the victory. He also made sure that his economical overs kept Australia in check and Kohli would love to see Jadhav doing an encore of it against the opposition he first started bowling to in 2016.

Dinesh Karthik: It is clear that team management is backing Dinesh Karthik for the role of the finisher. He did a good enough job in Adelaide, but it is yet to be seen how much he can live up to it in the New Zealand series. The small boundaries may help the Tamil Nadu keeper who can slog better than Ross Taylor. 

All-rounder

Vijay Shankar: He might not have had a scintillating ODI debut, but an economy rate of 3.83 is impressive against anyone. With that performance, Shankar, who was the highest run-scorer in the India A’s tour of New Zealand last month, has also indicated that he can be the connecting link between the top and lower order with the bat as well while sharing the middle-over bowling duties with Jadhav.

Spinners

Kuldeep Yadav: After sitting out for the MCG game, the left-arm wrist spinner may return to the side at the expense of Ravindra Jadeja, whose presence has become overstated after Shankar-Jadhav mutual benefit society. Kuldeep’s variations have always come good for the Indians and New Zealand may well beware of it. 

Yuzvendra Chahal: The leg-spinner has been one of the most popular figures in the dressing room and used that brilliantly to launch his post-match talk show “Chahal TV”. His easy-going nature was one of the reasons he has been a less-stressed cricketer and now he doesn’t need any external motivation to do well.

Pacers

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: After going for runs in the first game, the Indian pace spearhead took up the responsibility on his shoulder in the second and third game. His form is very much important for the Indian team going into the World Cup and he will try to iron out his chinks in the series against New Zealand.

Mohammed Shami: The Bengal pacer needs one more wicket to reach the 100-wicket milestone in ODI cricket and will try going all out to get it tomorrow. But more than that, he has bigger roles to play for India as the bounce of the McLean Park will help his style. Shami will also need to be consistent in his approach like the way he was in the Australia series - a trait that had deserted him in the limited-overs cricket after the 2015 World Cup.

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