India Vs New Zealand: Predicted XI of Black Caps for 1st ODI at Wankhade
Oct 21, 2017 at 1:34 PM
Led by Kane Williamson – New Zealand, who are expected to give a tough fight to India in its den, is sweating it out to face the formidable Men in Blue who has seen a significant rise in the cricket as youngsters like Hardik Pandya has stepped up to the platform.
The last time both teams met in 2016, India clinched the five-match series 3-2 in the subcontinent. Further, the two teams met in the warm-up fixture of the recently-concluded ICC Champions Trophy at the Oval in London on May 28 which Men in Blue won by 45 runs.
The Boon or the Bane?
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While Kiwis have already announced their 15-member squad, the visitors were dealt with the major blow, before the start of the three-match ODI series, as opening batsman Todd Astle nursed groin injury which subsequently saw leg-spinner Ish Sodhi replacing 31-year-old batsman for the 50-over format.
Explosive Colin Munro is expected to start the proceedings with senior batsman Martin Guptill. The visitors would further witness their skipper Kane Williamson shouldering the responsibility alongside 25-year-old left-handed batsman Tom Latham, who has the knack of playing the spin bowling well, as he has a hundred under his belt which came in the second warm-up game at Brabourne Stadium on Thursday.
Plain Threat:
With the spin bowling threat looming large over the Black Caps, Williamson, who has been brilliant with the bat would be eyeing to rotate the strike alongside another experienced campaigner Ross Taylor, who would be a key in the middle-order against a decent bowling line-up of Virat Kohli-led India.
Moreover, at least five Kiwis’ players featured in the series against India A, in a bid to acclimatize the subcontinent conditions. They are Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips, George Worker and Henry Nicholls.
Sweating out for Strength:
Compared to their Trans-Tasman Australian arch-rivals, New Zealand team seems far more balanced than Kangaroos while having the experienced campaigners at the top with the likes of Guptill followed by Taylor and Williamson himself who know how to guide youngsters alongside.
Williamson is being known for playing longer innings and has pulled his team out of trouble during the crunch situations of the game many-a-times.
While proving credential, on the other end Latham’s role could further provide a huge boost for a side which does not have a decent record while facing the slow bowling attack, as India has given go-to-the-youngsters while premium spinners are being rested owing to the rotation policy of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Bowlers to contain batsmen:
In the bowling department, the two experienced campaigners in the form of Trent Boult and Tim Southee would have a massive task to cut out for against a batting-heavy India which has further been bolstered by quality players at the top.
For New Zealand, it would be important for the top-order to give a decent start while providing the cushion for middle-order, in a bid to put a decent score on board.
Opportunities and Probabilities:
However, the situation demands visitors are supposed to post a fighting total on a placid surface like Wankhede, as India has a batting depth which eventually has the potential to chase down the 300-plus target.
It would be interesting to see how Colin Munro would go at the top if he would be given a go to bat with Guptill – to face Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah with the white-ball.
Fresh to the international scene, the batting all-rounder George Worker will also be in contention in the Playing XI, as his domestic record has been decent before flying to India which would test his skills and temperament.
The Kiwis have had to give an all-round performance while banking on their strength to fetch the desired results which would be equally a laborious task for the visitors
New Zealand Predicted XI: Kane Williamson (skipper), Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips/Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Adam Milne.