Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

New Zealand vs India 2nd ODI Preview Dream11

A thrashing. An absolute thrashing. Was it an aberration, or something deeper? How could a meeting between world number two and three be so one sided?

New Zealand have to rectify things, and fast. As fantastic as India were in Napier, New Zealand were poor, highlighted by their muddled thinking and plethora of soft dismissals. The fireworks and excitement expected by fans right across the globe turned out to be a damp squib, and the second ODI is now a test of their resolve. They have been fantastic in recent years in home ODIs, but it’s not often they cop a battering so bad that a break in play because of the sun was their best moment of the day. Can they bounce back in beautiful Mount Maunganui?

No credit should be taken away from India. As was the case in Australia, the Indians were right on point from the outset, giving New Zealand very little to pounce on. Mohammed Shami was absolutely outstanding, becoming the fastest Indian to 100 ODI wickets, with India then picking up further reward after selecting both wrist spinners that any side in the world would rip your arm off if offered one. The batsmen then faced the sun as their biggest challenge, giving the New Zealand bowlers little encouragement for the second ODI, sealing a huge win. Can India make it 2-0?

Key to a New Zealand win

The silver lining for New Zealand after a such a disappointing performance is that they can test their ability to bounce back. With a World Cup looming, any opportunity for character building is one to be cherished.

To bounce back, New Zealand’s batmen have to be far better than they were in Napier. Martin Guptill and the now under pressure Colin Munro must get the better of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami to ensure New Zealand have some sort of platform when about to face up to India’s wrist spinners. A strong opening stand (or at least a significant contribution from one of the openers) reduces the pressure on Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson, both of whom let the pressure get to them somewhat in the first ODI. Those two will be crucial in getting New Zealand to a position where they can launch in the death overs, giving freedom to the likes of Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner to go for it.

On the bowling front, it is unfair to judge New Zealand’s bowlers on the first game, with such a small total to defend. However, the template for success, whilst huge, is clear. Getting the better of India’s top three will be crucial, and if Tim Southee and Trent Boult can find movement up top, Williamson might be inclined to attack a little more. Both Lockie Ferguson and Doug Bracewell bowled encouragingly in Napier, so if New Zealand can get the better of the powerplay period, the Black Caps have the resources to keep the pressure on India. Will it be a day where India’s middle order is tested? From New Zealand’s perspective, it just about has to be.

Key to an India win

India’s bowling attack looks a well-oiled machine, but the challenge is repeating the consistency they showed in Napier. The partnership of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami is talked about almost as highly as India’s opening batting combination right now, as they have set the tone beautifully in each of their four ODIs across Australia and New Zealand. The key question is whether they can get the better of New Zealand’s openers again, giving Kohli the opportunity to attack and introduce his wrist spinners against Williamson and Taylor looking to set a platform. India, just as the case in Napier, will look to continue testing New Zealand’s ability to keep the scoreboard ticking, and if the home side can’t get going, they might very well rip through their middle order again.

One area they will want to improve on is their catching, but if they don’t give New Zealand the chance to launch, say hello to 2-0.

Also, India would be very encouraged by Shikhar Dhawan’s fifty in Napier. He has been a little under par in ODIs dating back to the West Indies series at home. However, a player of his ability can’t be counted out. He will be key at the top, along with Rohit Sharma, in blunting Boult and Southee which can lift the pressure on New Zealand. We all know what Virat Kohli can do, and if India’s top three has a strong outing, India’s middle order is playing well enough in recent times to take advantage. A huge opportunity awaits to lay down another marker.

Possible Playing 11

Can’t see New Zealand panicking too much after one game, but one change they could make is bringing in Ish Sodhi. He took five wickets in two games against Sri Lanka at Mount Maunganui recently. Possibly Tim Southee to make way after Doug Bracewell played well in Napier?

New Zealand Possible Playing 11: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Colin Munro, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Tom Latham (wk), 6. Henry Nicholls, 7. Mitchell Santner, 8. Doug Bracewell, 9. Tim Southee/Ish Sodhi, 10. Lockie Ferguson, 11. Trent Boult

It is very unlikely that India will experiment this soon. They have the chance to later in the series with Virat Kohli rested for the final two ODIs.

India Possible Playing 11: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. Ambati Rayudu, 5. MS Dhoni (wk), 6. Kedhar Jadhav, 7. Vijay Shankar, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Kuldeep Yadav, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal

Dream11 Prediction

Stats and Facts

• New Zealand have won three and lost three of their six ODIs at Mount Maunganui.
• India have won three ODIs on the bounce.
• Kuldeep Yadav’s figures of 4/39 were the second best by an Indian spinner in New Zealand, behind Anil Kumble’s 5/33.

Match Prediction

I will put my hand up and say I tipped New Zealand to win the first ODI.

However, it is hard to go past India after such an impressive performance on Wednesday. They are looking a good unit at the moment.

Thanks for reading!

New Zealand vs India 2nd ODI Preview Dream11