After completing the successful T20I series, Shikhar Dhawan-led Men in Blue is ready to go for a 3-match ODI series against Kane Williamson’s New Zealand. In the recent T20I series, India crushed New Zealand 1-0. The opening match was washed out due to rain. The second match was a spectacular one with Suryakumar Yadav’s scintillating century. India won the match with a margin of 65 runs. The third match was tied through the DLS method. With the win, team India is confident to go for an ODI series.
With the conclusion of the T20 World Cup, all attention will be now on the ODI format as all teams are gearing up for the ODI World Cup playing next year in India. Team India’s T20I schedule shows that on next year they will play only 9 T20Is. This shows the preparations are ahead for the big event. With the past few failures in the ICC events, BCCI and team India are trying to give the best outcome for the next big event.
The star players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah have rested again in the ODI series. Hardik Pandya also will be absent from the match. So, Shikhar Dhawan will once again lead the quite young Indian squad.
This is not the first time Dhawan leading the side. He has led the second-string Indian team in many matches. With Dhawan as captain, India enjoyed good results against Sri Lanka (2-1), South Africa (2-1), and West Indies (3-0).
Dhawan has been the ODI captain for some time now and he knows to lead young talents to big events. Indecision has been a thing for Dhawan earlier, but as the leader of the pack, he does not hesitate to taking decisions. He himself has admitted that his decision-making skills have improved over time.
“As you play more, you get confident in the decisions you take. Earlier, there used to be instances where I would give an extra over to a bowler out of regard (for him). But now, as I have matured, even if someone is feeling bad, I will take a decision that will help the team”, Dhawan said.
“I will make sure that the support staff and I create an environment where the players are comfortable. I want my boys to be themselves while also understanding their responsibilities. I want us to be relaxed but also focused”, he added.
Dhawan and Gill may open the match
India will most probably open the match with Dhawan and Shubhman Gill. The line-up will be followed by Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav. Either Sanju Samson or Deepak Hooda will join next. India has a fairly experienced bowling line-up now. Washington Sundar may go along with Yuzvendra Chahal for the spin department. Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, and Deepak Chahar may form the fast-bowling core.
While India is trying new bench strength, New Zealand is playing with a full-strength squad. Kane Williamson will lead the side. The team expects the skipper to be back in full strength. Finn Allen may open the batting in the absence of Martin Guptill. Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips, and James Neesham will be in the middle order. Tom Latham or Daryl Mitchell will join them. Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Tim Southee are the strong bowling core for New Zealand now.
Lockie Ferguson has an incredible record in home conditions and he will look to exploit it fully in the ODI series. They may likely include Michael Bracewell in the playing XI.
When the last time India and New Zealand faced in a bilateral ODI series in New Zealand, the hosts whitewashed the series. Both faced each other 13 times in New Zealand in the last 10 years and India won only 4 out of them.
Let’s wait and watch what will happen this time here. The first match will be played on 25th November at Eden Park. The second and third ODI is scheduled on the 27th and 30th of November respectively.
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