Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

New Zealand vs India 5th ODI Preview Dream11

This has been a series rife with the unexpected.

It was billed as a huge series in the lead up to the World Cup, and rightly so, with two expected semi finalists going toe-to-toe. New Zealand have been superb at home both at and since the 2015 World Cup, and India had just won in Australia, making it 10 triumphs out of their last 11 ODI assignments.

However, no one could have expected India to romp so easily to an unassailable 3-0 series lead, ensuring Virat Kohli would be extra relaxed in his rest. On the same token, no one could have expected India to be rolled for 92 in Hamilton, even without Kohli and MS Dhoni. So, what on earth does the fifth and final ODI have in store?

New Zealand, albeit too late, finally got off the mark in this series. It was a magnificent exhibition of swing bowling and fitness by Trent Boult, bowling ten overs straight en route to dismantling India. He was supported well by the also fit Colin de Grandhomme to give New Zealand some confidence in what has been a disappointing series. Can they end the series on a high in Wellington?

It certainly was a bad day for India last time out. It was an opportunity for their middle order to perform in the absence of Kohli and Dhoni, but they didn’t deliver, perhaps creating a little more concern ahead of the World Cup. Of course, with two big guns to return to the batting lineup, there is no reason to panic yet, but certain players would be advised to have better outings. Can they take the series out 4-1?

Key to a New Zealand win

New Zealand, via Trent Boult, gave India a taste of their own medicine in Hamilton. Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma were out early, which is something India have done to Australia and New Zealand in recent times, exposing the middle order to the moving ball. With conditions in Wellington expected to be sunny and a mild 23 degrees for this clash, the ball might not swing as much, which places significant onus on the bowlers up top to extract as much movement as possible, whilst forcing the Indians onto the front foot. Boult will be crucial, along with Matt Henry and possibly Tim Southee who can deliver more in white ball cricket. Can the Black Caps set the tone nicely for the likes of Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle and Jimmy Neesham to build further pressure?

Also, New Zealand’s batting wasn’t tested chasing such a score in Hamilton, but they will be under the microscope again. Henry Nicholls looked decent in the opening role, but has to follow up his solid effort with another in Wellington to ensure India don’t find the success they have found in the early overs this series. New Zealand will also want Kane Williamson to fire in what’s been an under-par series for him, and if he can contribute well at the top, New Zealand’s top four has what it takes to put India on the back foot and set things up nicely for Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme to launch.

Key to an India win

MS Dhoni is said to be ready for a return to the Indian side after a slight hamstring niggle, and will be a key man in the middle order. However, before that, India will want Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan to overcome Trent Boult’s threat at the top, with Boult having the wood over the latter in particular this series. Can the likes of Ambati Rayudu further their claims for a World Cup spot? If Shubman Gill is picked for this one, can he help set a platform for India to get the better of New Zealand?

Also, India could stick with the same bowling unit for this clash, with Mohammed Shami to be rested again. Will Khaleel Ahmed pitch the ball up further to find the movement fans know he can? Can Bhuvneshwar Kumar continue his fine form against New Zealand’s top order? Like the first ten overs of India’s batting innings is important, the same applies for their bowlers against the Black Caps in helping set the tone for the likes of Hardik Pandya and the two wrist spinners to come in and do their thing.

Possible Playing 11

Martin Guptill has aggravated a lower-back injury, which means Colin Munro could come back into the side to open. Tim Southee is also a good chance of playing given his good record on this ground.

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

MS Dhoni is set to return for India, which means Dinesh Karthik could miss out, unless India opt for a Rayudu-Dhoni-Karthik trio, meaning Shubman Gill misses out.

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

Also read: Cricket fan heaven! Top 10 cricket bats of 2019.

Dream11 Prediction

• Tom Latham has played four ODIs at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, scoring 29 runs at 7.25.
• MS Dhoni has been in fine touch, scoring 241 runs in his past four innings, including three not outs in his last three innings.
• Kane Williamson has had a tough series to date, but possesses an excellent record at Westpac Stadium. He has scored 434 runs in eight matches at 72.33. Ross Taylor also has a strong record, with 365 runs at 73.00.
• Both Rohit Sharma (4) and Shikhar Dhawan (9) failed in their only matches at Westpac Stadium. However, with the ball likely to swing less than Hamilton given the conditions, Rohit Sharma is a good pick with Trent Boult enjoying life more against Shikhar Dhawan this series.
• Trent Boult has nine wickets in his last three games, with 11 wickets in his five matches on this ground. Must pick.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar has six wickets in his last three ODIs.

Stats and Facts

• If Ross Taylor scores 110, he will become the seventh-fastest batsman to 8,000 ODI runs.
• New Zealand have lost their last three ODIs at Westpac Stadium.
• Tim Southee has 25 wickets at 17.92 at this ground.
• If Rohit Sharma doesn’t score a century, it will be the first series where he didn’t score a century since the New Zealand series at home in 2016.

Match Prediction

It was an incredible result in Hamilton.

Will New Zealand make it 3-2? Perhaps, but I will pick India to bounce back with the return of MS Dhoni, even with some assistance expected for the fast bowlers.

Thanks for reading!

New Zealand vs India 5th ODI Preview Dream11

New Zealand vs India 5th ODI Preview Dream11