India go into the ODI series in New Zealand on a high after taking the T20I series 3-2. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in ODI cricket will amaze the fans all around the world. While backing up on the recent performances of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Indian fans will expect a great finish to this bilateral series. The 50-over format is a different story, though. India have not won a one-day international in New Zealand since February 2019.
The five-match series begins at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4. It is a day-night game starting at 3pm local time, which is 6am in the UAE and 7.30am in India.
A tough record to overturn
The numbers are not on India’s side. They have played 45 ODIs in New Zealand, winning 14 and losing 26, with one tie and four no-results. Since that win in Wellington in 2019, they have lost four and had two washed out.
Eden Park itself has been mixed for India: 11 ODIs, four wins, six defeats and a tie. New Zealand also won the last ODI series between the sides 2-1 in India in January, their first ODI series win on Indian soil.
The ICC rankings make it closer than the history suggests. New Zealand are third in the ODI rankings, one place above India.
Team news
Both sides are missing key players.
- India: Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has been ruled out of the whole ODI series with a hamstring injury. Shubman Gill is reported to captain the side for the first three matches.
- New Zealand: Reports on the eve of the match said Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman, both returning from injury, would miss the opener.
India’s batting still carries plenty of experience, with Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer in the squad. Kohli has 1,897 ODI runs against New Zealand, the most by any player in this fixture, and needs 103 more to reach 2,000.
Pitch and conditions
Expect runs. Eden Park is a flat, high-scoring ground, and the last game there was a reminder of how quickly it can get away from a bowling side. In the fourth T20I, New Zealand made 259 for 7 and restricted India to 172 for 9 to win by 87 runs.
That defeat will be fresh in India’s minds, and their bowlers will need a better plan this time, especially without Prasidh.
Full ODI schedule
- 1st ODI: Wednesday, November 4, Eden Park, Auckland
- 2nd ODI: Saturday, November 7, Wellington Regional Stadium
- 3rd ODI: Tuesday, November 10, Seddon Park, Hamilton
- 4th ODI: Friday, November 13, Bay Oval, Tauranga
- 5th ODI: Sunday, November 15, Bay Oval, Tauranga
All matches start at 3pm New Zealand time (6am UAE, 7.30am IST).
For the many Indian and New Zealand cricket fans in the Gulf, that means early mornings for the next fortnight. A win in Auckland would be India’s best possible start, and their first ODI victory in New Zealand in more than seven years.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Outlook India, ICC, Morning Star, ESPNcricinfo.
