India skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first in the first match of the three-game One-Day International series against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Here is what the captains said:
Virat Kohli:
“We are going to bat first. It looks a good wicket, conditions are pretty hot out there and it will be tough out there for everybody. It looks a batting paradise but should have more bounce than other surfaces in India. We want to maximise the batting conditions first up.”
Kane Williamson:
“Very humid of course. Nice to come here early to adjust to it. Really good surface, we would have batted first as well but will now look to exploit the early swing on. (On the squad) Couple of new faces in the middle order, Henry Nicholls and Colin de Grandhomme as well.
Some exciting talent, Tom Latham taking the gloves and batting in the middle order. A mix of experience and youth in the side, we do have good experience in the bowling too. We are sticking with our experienced pace attack, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Adam Milne. One spinner, three seamers and a few all-rounders is our team balance.”
Preview:
India, meanwhile, will be hoping to continue their impressive run in the ODIs this year and would be keen to reclaim the number one rank which they retained for a short while following the 4-1 win against Australia before conceding it to South Africa. India, who are yet to lose a series this year, will enter the series as the firm-favourites but at the same time, they should avoid complacency against a side which is well known for its ability to punch above its weight.
New Zealand, on the other hand, will be eyeing to stun the high-flying hosts and get back to winning ways in the 50-over format following the heartbreak in the Champions Trophy where they existed at the group stage.
Here is the playing eleven of both the teams:
India:
Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni(w), Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal
New Zealand:
Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham(w), Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.