Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
New Zealand vs India ODI Series Player Ratings
Did you expect that? If you did, you’re incredibly pessimistic if you’re a New Zealand fan, and optimistic if you’re an India fan. If you didn’t expect it, like myself, welcome to the club.
New Zealand avoided participating in this series four-nothing with a win in Hamilton, but normal service resumed in Wellington. The Black Caps came into the series possessing the best home record of any side in ODIs since the 2015 World Cup, but finished it with the confidence of a Tinder user getting no matches. (And no, I’m no advocate for Tinder).
This series was mighty impressive by India. As an Australian, it does provide hope that Australia were so competitive against this side in the series just before this one, as India brushed aside a good New Zealand side with ease. Their batting against the moving ball is a concern, but with Ambati Rayudu showing his worth in the fifth ODI and Hardik Pandya hitting the ball as if it was Karan Johar, the Indians can be encouraged by their depth. Of course, that is in conjunction with their fine bowling attack that didn’t let the Black Caps settle all series.

In a thumping 4-1 series result, and by demand, I will go through each player and rate them out of ten. As always, this is a light hearted review of the action gone by!

New Zealand vs India ODI Series Player Ratings: New Zealand
Colin Munro: Mohammed Shami and Colin Munro = a better love story than Twilight. Colin Munro and ODIs = a tragic love story New Zealand are desperate to get right. Time to move on, perhaps. 3

Martin Guptill: One of New Zealand’s big disappointments. Finished the series injured, and with a record against India poorer than it was when the series began. Was the writing on the wall when he failed in the last two ODIs against Sri Lanka preceding this series? 3
Kane Williamson: 2019 is already a year for firsts.
- India confirmed their first Test series win in Australia.
- Nepal won their first ever bilateral T20I series.
- Kane Williamson looked flustered.
India got the better of Kane in what was a difficult series for the New Zealand captain. His strokeplay throughout the series was not what we usually associate with Williamson, with all his dismissals and non-review for Ross Taylor in the fifth ODI a sign of a man that wasn’t quite on his game. Finished with 162 runs in five ODIs. 5
Ross Taylor: Did his best to hold up a sinking ship, especially in the third ODI. His first two ODIs hurt New Zealand badly, but he was effectively an opening batsman this series, such were New Zealand’s struggles at the top. 6
Tom Latham: Also largely inconsistent. New Zealand would have been within their rights to expect more from an excellent player of spin. Needs to work on his keeping as Latham can bring the backstop fielding position back into fashion. 5
Henry Nicholls: Came into this series on the back of launching Sri Lanka to all parts. However, even Australia, without a series win in any format for nearly a year, dispatched Sri Lanka with ease. Nicholls opened the batting and looked solid in the fourth ODI, but Chris Martin, Glenn McGrath and Muttiah Muralitharan might have been comfortable chasing India’s 92. New Zealand will have to make a call about whether Henry Nicholls fits into their best World Cup XI. 4
Jimmy Neesham: If Jimmy bowled as well in the fifth ODI as he tweets, India would have had their second sub-100 total in a row. It was a disappointing performance by Neesham with the ball in Wellington, hellbent on bowling cross-seam on a pitch offering movement with India under the pump. Poor Scott Styris in commentary wasn’t happy. Someone check on him. Neesham’s batting, though, was super exciting. He gets a five over his two games. 5
Colin de Grandhomme: Couldn’t deliver with the bat but will be a factor with the ball in conditions that offer something for the seamers. 4
Mitchell Santner: Will go easy on Santner, given he is recently back from a serious knee injury. New Zealand must give him all three ODIs against Bangladesh to help him return to some sort of match fitness and confidence. If selectors want inspiration, they must look away from Australia and how they handle Adam Zampa. 3
Todd Astle: “I wasn’t told I was going to be picked as a specialist fielder,” said a confused Astle after the fifth ODI. The decision to bring him on for his second in the death overs was interesting to say the least. Can’t say New Zealand are any clearer on Astle’s capabilities in ODIs. 3
Matt Henry: In and out of the side more often than Colin Munro is in and out of the crease in ODIs. Bowled absolutely brilliantly in the fifth ODI to finish with 4/35. 7
Trent Boult: New Zealand’s man of the series. His new found love is Shikhar Dhawan, and Boult is said to have order a huge bouquet of roses for the Indian opener for Valentine’s Day. 12 wickets in the series, and was New Zealand’s lone fighter at times in the early matches of the series. Boult swinging the ball is a sight to behold. 8.5
Doug Bracewell: The highlight an exciting half century in the second ODI. However, New Zealand need Bracewell to be bowling with more control, not only outplaying their opening batsmen. 4
Lockie Ferguson: A property in Sydney’s CBD seems less expensive. 2
Tim Southee: Things perhaps not looking too flash for Tim in ODI Cricket when he’s not selected at one of his favourite grounds in a dead rubber. Just the one match, where he went wicketless. 1
Ish Sodhi: Two matches. 17 overs. 96 runs. Zero wickets. Ineffective. “I miss Sri Lanka,” said a distraught Sodhi. 1
New Zealand vs India ODI Series Player Ratings: India
Rohit Sharma: Did little to settle those who believe he doesn’t play the moving ball well. The fact is he is suspect against the ball doing a bit, which is something he has to get right ahead of the World Cup. Can give fans heart attacks if he says he wants to open in Tests. Started the series well playing some beautiful strokes on the way to good scores, but ended it poorly. 6
Shikhar Dhawan: According to BCCI Officials, Dhawan was busting moves on the Westpac Stadium turf because he doesn’t have to face Trent Boult in ODIs on this tour anymore. Four dismissals after his fine knock in the first ODI, with Trent Boult then dismissing him four times. Like Sharma, started strongly before fading away. 6

Virat Kohli: India without Kohli are a different side. It is clear for all to see. Two 40s and a half century before chilling out on a well-deserved holiday with the series won. The 92 all-out match might have had him sitting right up after laying down comfortably. 7
Also read: Virat Kohli or Dwayne Bravo? Which is the top cricket bat of 2019?
Shubman Gill: A tough start to life in ODI Cricket for the young man. There is clearly work to do on his footwork, but he has the talent to come good. This can prove a good experience for him. 1
MS Dhoni: Is it possible to find someone who loves you as much as fans love MS Dhoni? His absence from the side was said to the big reason why India were bowled out for 92 in Hamilton. However, he was out early in Wellington and it was so nearly curtains for India. Nonetheless, it has been fine tours of Australia and New Zealand for MS, where he was superb behind the stumps. Still rapid with the hands. 7
Ambati Rayudu: Apart from a shot that could have brought tears to a glass eye in Hamilton, it was a solid series from Rayudu. His inability to up the ante as effectively as he could have in the second ODI is cause for improvement, but his 90 in the final ODI was one fine knock. He was seeing his plane ticket to England more clearly with every run. 7
Vijay Shankar: Made his debut in the Melbourne ODI a couple of weeks ago, and while he hasn’t taken a wicket in four ODIs, he has been a good resource for India. Played his first ODI innings in Wellington, and was excellent in helping India recover, scoring 45. Wouldn’t want to see replays of his run out, though. 5
Dinesh Karthik: Cruisy 38* to deliver the series win for India, but his fourth ODI shot was not a pretty sight. However, it was beautiful of Dinesh Karthik to deliver catching practice for New Zealand with the series over. Nice guy. 4
Kedar Jadhav: Another good resource for India. Picked up three wickets and made important contributions with the bat in the second and fifth ODIs. 6
Hardik Pandya: Played like a man possessed. Possibly pretended the ball was ‘Koffee with Karan’ host Karan Johar as he smashed it to all parts at Westpac. A very strong return to the India side, with four wickets and 61 runs (two inns) in his three games. 7
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: As reliable as ever. Seven wickets for the series, and struck often at the top. Getting very close to some of his best form, is Kumar. 7.5
Kuldeep Yadav: Numbers for this series look really good, but India might be concerned about his lack of wickets as series go on. Eight wickets in the first two ODIs, and then none in his next two. 7.5
Mohammed Shami: Mr. Shami, welcome to your flight to the UK. Nine wickets in his four matches, and consistently caused New Zealand trouble at the top. He was excellent in building pressure, too, going for an economy rate of just 4.75 in the series. Trent Boult got more wickets, but Shami gets a higher rating as he played a key role in setting the series up for India. 9
Yuzvendra Chahal: Could you believe that up till two weeks ago, India weren’t finding a way to fit this guy in their team? If India don’t want to play him again, let him come to Australia. We would be happy to give him citizenship and play for our side! An excellent series. 7.5
Khaleel Ahmed: Played just the one match, and it was a game tailor made for his bowling. He has the ability to swing the ball, but has been bowling too short of late. India team management need to have him bowling fuller. Like in the Australia series, RCB will be keeping a close eye on him for season 2020. 1

So, congratulations to India on a magnificent series win.
4-1 in New Zealand is one hell of a result ahead of their series against Australia at home later this month. For New Zealand, they’ll look to bounce back in their next ODI assignment against Bangladesh.
Thanks for reading!
Also read: Virat Kohli or Dwayne Bravo? Which is the top cricket bat of 2019?
New Zealand vs India ODI Series Player Ratings

New Zealand vs India ODI Series Player Ratings