The way to the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup continues with a 3-match ODI series as India will take on New Zealand at home. The first match will take place at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on 18th January 2023.
Team India is fully confident about the series with an amazing 3-0 victory over Sri Lanka which also includes the biggest margin in the history of one-day internationals in the final game of the series.
The Kiwis are also on high after making a 2-1 comeback in the Pakistan ODI series. Also, New Zealand is number one in the ICC ODI Rankings while India is fourth. These two met a couple of months ago in an ODI series in New Zealand and the hosts were pretty dominant in the series.
India is going to play their 4th ODI match in 7 days and Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the Men in Blue in the ODI series. India will play without KL Rahul and Axar Patel in the series. Shahbaz Ahmed will replace Axar Patel. Washinton Sundar and Shardul Thakur will return to the side. Keeper Srikar Bharat has got his maiden ODI call and he will be the second wicket-keeper alongside Ishan Kishan. Arshdeep Singh didn’t find a place in the squad this time.
Virat Kohli is in full of form for the series as he has scored centuries in 2 of the 3 matches against Sri Lanka. He scored an unbeaten 166 in the 3rd ODI to mark India a record in ODI history. He has extraordinary records against New Zealand. With the kind of form he is in, he is an essential pick for the side.
Shubman Gill was also excellent in the series with scores of 70, 21 & 116 runs respectively in the matches.
Shreyas Iyer is not part of the side due to a back injury. Rajat Patidar will replace Iyer. Mohammed Siraj is the outstanding swing bowler in the team with the new ball. He was excellent with the ball in the Lankan series and dismantled the Lankan side in the 3rd ODI.
Even though Suryakumar Yadav has not contributed much to the Lankan series, he has opted for the New Zealand series to make him suited for the coming ODI World Cup.
New Zealand, on the other hand, rested their skipper Kane Williamson and Tim Southee. The side will most probably be led by Tom Latham. Tom Latham has an unblemished record against India but has to lead a weaker side this time. His last five scores against India include an unbeaten 145. He is also the senior batsman in the current New Zealand squad that toured India.
Devon Conway is another attacking left-handed batsman who can handle spin bowling. If he surpasses the powerplay and the threat of Mohammed Siraj, he can score big for Kiwis.
Adam Milne will also miss the series. The pace attack will most probably be led by Lockie Ferguson.
The Kiwis have quality spinners on the side like Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, and Michael Bracewell. But the batters of the side are not consistent enough to play a tough battle against India.
Both sides have quality players on their side and a few inexperienced players as well. With the ODI World Cup later this year, both squads will look to put on a show in the coming series.
India squad
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, KS Bharat, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik.
New Zealand squad
Tom Latham (c), Finn Allen, Doug Bracewell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner.
