India host New Zealand in the first ODI of a three-match series in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11. This is the first series for both teams in the new year, and they will be excited to make waves. India appear to have an advantage at the outset, given that they are playing in familiar conditions. What's more, they also have the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in their lineup. These players are extremely experienced in this format, and can be trusted to deliver the goods under pressure.
New Zealand, on the other hand, have announced a rather inexperienced team for this tour. Led by all-rounder Michael Bracewell, most of the players in the Kiwi squad have no experience of playing in these conditions and are expected to face a lot of challenges. The Kiwis are also expected to sport a pace-heavy bowling attack, which may not quite work in their favour in these spin-friendly conditions. Batters Will Young, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips are some of the few experienced hands on deck.
India will be led by Shubman Gill, who is returning from a long layoff due to a neck injury. The stylish batter was recently dropped from India's squad for the T20 World Cup, and will be keen on making a mark against New Zealand. Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and Shreyas Iyer will be some of the experienced faces from whom a lot will be expected alongside Sharma and Kohli. When it comes to star power, India seem to have ticked all the boxes. The Kiwis appear to be quite underwhelming.
Predicted Teams
IND: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
NZ: Henry Nicholls, Devon Conway (wk), Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell (c), Kristian Clarke, Jayden Lennox, Josh Clarkson, Kyle Jamieson, Michael Rae.
Key Players
Virat Kohli (IND): Former India captain Virat Kohli is known to be one of the best batters in his generation in this format of the sport. He can rotate the strike very well, but also take the aerial route when needed. Kohli is in fine form, having just struck two centuries against South Africa late last year. He will walk out to bat at number three and provide India with a lot of depth.
Daryl Mitchell (NZ): Daryl Mitchell is among the most experienced players in this New Zealand side. He is also one of the very few players who have played against India in these conditions in the past. Mitchell can be quite handy in the middle overs, where he rotates the strike without the opposition noticing his exploits too much. He is also quite strong on the offside and prefers using the inside-out approach. To go with this, he is an electric fielder.
Match Prediction
India are the outright favourites to win. They have a much more experienced squad than New Zealand, and will not face too much of a problem in overcoming any challenge sent their way. The Indians know these conditions extremely well and will put the Kiwis under pressure right from the beginning owing to their superior skill set. India will also make the most of the new ball and the fielding restrictions inside the first powerplay. The New Zealand side is primarily made up of first-class players recently called up.