New Zealand vs India 2019, 1st ODI, Napier – India’s Predicted XI
Jan 20, 2019 at 1:29 PM
After conquering Australia in the three-match ODI series, India now moves to New Zealand to stamp their authority. Napier will host the first of the five matches, on January 23rd. Meanwhile, keeping the 2019 World Cup in the sights, Virat Kohli-led team will want to make their mark. In their quest to have the settled line up leading to the mega event; the India National Cricket Team captain and the management could alter with some positions. However, ahead of the first ODI, here is team India’s predicted XI –
Team India’s predicted XI for the Napier ODI
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Rohit Sharma
The right-handed batsman will head to New Zealand with some good form under his belt. In the Australia ODIs, he scored a hundred in the first game at the SCG. Though he didn’t cross a fifty-run mark in the remaining two innings; Rohit Sharma showed signs of getting there early on. With the world of experience on his back, Rohit’s composure will come handy for India in the New Zealand ODIs.
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Shikhar Dhawan
The India opener didn’t hit a purple patch in the Australia ODIs. In three games, Shikhar Dhawan scored just 55 runs. Though his form is not a worry, especially in the limited-overs cricket; the left-hander has to come good with the bat in the five-match ODI series against the Kiwis.
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Virat Kohli
The India National Cricket Team captain is a master of the modern-day game. His exploits on the field are known to the world. And New Zealand, being the most dominant side in world cricket at home at this moment would be aware of it too. Be it for his captaincy or his batting, Virat has made his way in the headlines for a long time now.
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Shubman Gill
Why not Shubman Gill? Ambati Rayudu didn’t perform well at number four in Australia ODIs. Even in the last match, he got dropped, and MS batted at that position. Now, given the reputation Gill has carried on his shoulders, who knows, Virat could ask him to play at four.
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MS Dhoni
Overlooking MS Dhoni as a batsman is a mistake now. The veteran India player scored three fifties in as many innings in Australia; ending up with an average of 193. Furthermore, he won the Player of the Series award as well. Behind the wickets, he still has the quickest hands. Given all the credentials, MS is a sure starter in the New Zealand ODIs.
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Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik is team India’s new ‘finisher’ at the helm. During the Adelaide ODI, he and MS Dhoni ensured the visiting team cross the winning line without suffering any hiccups. However, his presence later in the batting order gives confidence to the team captain and the management.
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Kedar Jadhav
The man with the ‘Golden-arm’, Kedar Jadhav will be a guaranteed starter in the line up too. Though he had played only one game in the Australia ODIs, he showed his class; scoring an unbeaten 61 in a run-chase at the MCG. He is someone who can hit from the word go, and create the impact too.
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The India fast bowler had a wonderful time in the ODI series against Australia. During the Adelaide match, he picked four wickets; to add more insult to the injury, Bhuvneshwar had captain Finch’s number on all three occasions. Deadly with the new ball, Bhuvneshwar Kumar could be India’s trump card leading to the New Zealand One-Dayers.
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Kuldeep Yadav
The unorthodox-spinner has been Virat’s go-to-man in the ODIs. His performance graph in the 50-over cricket has improved by leaps and bounds. Though he didn’t play the final match at the MCG, Kuldeep Yadav had picked two wickets in as many games before. In New Zealand, where the boundaries would be shorter, Kuldeep’s smartness with the ball will come into play.
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Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami has been looked upon as the third seamer for the 2019 World Cup. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, he has filled the filler’s role quite well. In three matches, Shami had picked five wickets. But more importantly, he bowled well with the new and the old ball at the death.
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Yuzvendra Chahal
The Player of the Match in the MCG game, Yuzvedra Chahal looks to make it to the playing XI for the Napier game. His six-wicket haul has more or less sealed his spot in the India National Cricket Team until 2019 World Cup. With two wrist spinners on the lineup, Virat would be confident of breaking the New Zealand batting wall.