Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

New Zealand vs India 4th ODI Preview Dream11

Surely no one could have expected this. Not the most pessimistic of New Zealand fans. Nor the most optimistic Indian fans. The fourth ODI of this much anticipated series is a dead rubber. This much anticipated ODI series has been a damp squib.

New Zealand, a side that possessed the best ODI record at home of any team since the 2015 World Cup, have been completely outplayed three games in a row. They have struggled to get the better of India’s bowlers at all stages of the innings, and have struggled for their own penetration with the ball. To paint a picture, the Black Caps have lost all 30 wickets in their three games, taking just nine themselves. It has been completely one-sided to date, but can New Zealand salvage some pride?

Damp squib it has been, but India won’t care. They have been superb. The Indians now find themselves in the perfect position with Virat Kohli getting a much needed rest with the series won and Jasprit Bumrah returning after this series fresh with India sealing series wins in two of the more challenging away trips in world cricket. They have swept the floor with a good side on their own turf, and now the Indians have a chance to build further momentum ahead of the World Cup. Will they make it 4-0?

Cricket Tips: Four great ways to maintain your cricket gloves when playing!

Key to a New Zealand win

A big problem for New Zealand this series is that Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have effectively opened the batting in each match. Colin Munro and Martin Guptill have underwhelmed significantly, applying pressure not to the Indians but rather their own side. Guptill’s record gives him a longer rope, and he has to find some form in New Zealand’s quest for pride. Whether Munro gets another chance remains to be seen, but regardless of personnel, New Zealand’s openers must lay a platform for their side. With Kane Williamson looking unchatacteristically flustered with the bat, he needs a strong start to work off. Like the top order needs to deliver, so does the middle-lower order in showing they can launch effectively. James Neesham returning is a boost but another tough test awaits.

Also, New Zealand have failed to take an innings’ worth of wickets in three matches combined. With just nine wickets across three matches, can New Zealand get the better of an Indian side without Virat Kohli? It is easier said than done with each of India’s top six showing strong form at one point or another this series, so the onus is on the bowlers to support Trent Boult better in creating chances. Can New Zealand see the back of India’s openers relatively cheaply and have a good shot at India’s lineup? Can the likes of Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson show the kind of form fans know they can deliver?

Key to an India win

India have sent out a huge message this series, and with Rohit Sharma possessing a strong record as captain, there will be no letting up. He and Shikhar Dhawan have been in fine form this series, and they can continue driving the life out of the Black Caps with another strong opening stand. With Shubman Gill a chance to replace the rested Virat Kohli, the key for India would be to ensure he comes in with at least one batsman set to enable him to settle in nicely. The same applies to Dinesh Karthik if he plays. With MS Dhoni set to return, and Ambati Rayudu and Kedhar Yadav really pressing their claims in the middle order, India will be looking for another complete batting display.

Also read: Virat Kohli or Dwayne Bravo cricket bat… Which makes number one in 2019?

Also, India have been so efficient with the ball that their bowling template is well and truly set. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami have been far too good for New Zealand’s openers to date, which has then enabled them to build pressure on stars Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor. Taylor, despite nearly scoring a century, had to bat with such caution in the third ODI given India’s pressure, which didn’t hold up right till the end as New Zealand couldn’t launch effectively. Will Kuldeep Yadav have a better day? And can Hardik Pandya have a second good game in a row? India have the quality for another fine bowling effort, and need to be ruthless to keep that winning mentality going in a World Cup year.

Possible Playing 11

New Zealand could persist with Colin Munro once more. However, they have replaced Ish Sodhi and Doug Bracewell with Todd Astle and Jimmy Neesham respectively. Spotlight is also on Henry Nicholls given his lean series.

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

Cricket Tips: Four great ways to maintain your cricket gloves when playing!

Shubman Gill is a chance of making his debut. With MS Dhoni said to be fit and ready to go, it could be between Gill and Dinesh Karthik for a spot. Also, Mohammed Shami could be rested. Rohit Sharma leads the side in his 200th ODI.

India Possible Playing 11: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Ambati Rayudu, 4. MS Dhoni (wk), 5. Dinesh Karthik/Shubman Gill, 6. Kedar Jadhav, 7. Hardik Pandya, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Mohammed Shami/Khaleel Ahmed, 10. Kuldeep Yadav, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal

Updated Dream11 Prediction

There is a chance Mohammed Shami will be rested.

Stats and Facts

• Rohit Sharma will play his 200th ODI. Only two players have a higher number of runs than Rohit’s 7,799 after 199 ODIs – Virat Kohli (8,767) and AB de Villiers (8,520).
• Rohit Sharma has 534 runs in eight matches as captain, averaging 106.80. This includes a double century.
• New Zealand have won six of their last seven ODIs at Seddon Park in Nelson.
• New Zealand have taken nine wickets across three matches this series. India have taken 30.

Match Prediction

In Rohit Sharma’s 200th ODI, India should prove too strong. They have New Zealand’s number right now, and even without Virat Kohli, they will make it 4-0.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Virat Kohli or Dwayne Bravo bat… Which makes number one in 2019?

New Zealand vs India 4th ODI Preview Dream11

New Zealand vs India 4th ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction