The visitors India suffered a defeat in the first game of the three-match ODI series against the hosts New Zealand at Seddon Park (Hamilton). On Saturday (8th February), New Zealand and India will play the second game of this series at Eden Park (Auckland).
In the first ODI, India managed to score 347/4 (50 overs) in the first innings. However, the hosts chased down that target in 48.1 overs (348/6) and have taken the 1-0 lead in this series. India can’t afford another defeat in this series as they must have to win both the remaining matches claim this away ODI series.
In this important Auckland ODI, the Indian team can make three crucial changes, and these are as follows
Manish Pandey replacing Prithvi Shaw
As India can’t afford another defeat in this series, the team management can send the experienced KL Rahul for the opening batsman role. While the last match openers both Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal were the ODI debutants, unfortunately, Shaw may face the exclusion in this case.
Manish Pandey can replace Prithvi Shaw who can take charge of middle-order batting position. At present, Pandey is one of the in-form men in this team. The right-handed batsman is playing perfect cricket according to the various situations, and most importantly, he is not throwing his wicket easily.
Yuzvendra Chahal replacing Kuldeep Yadav
Though the left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav bagged two wickets in the last game, he is still not near to the old Kuldeep Yadav. In the last game, he conceded 84 runs in his 10 overs spell. He needs to perform well consistently to secure his place in the Indian limited-overs sides.
The 29-year-old leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal can replace Kuldeep for the Auckland ODI. He is also struggling to perform consistently and played his last ODI in last August during India tour of West Indies. However, he had a very good ODI experience in the last year when India toured New Zealand as he was India’s joint-most wicket-taker in the five-match ODI series (nine wickets).
Navdeep Saini replacing Shardul Thakur
The right-arm pacer Shardul Thakur was very expensive in the last ODI. In the last game, while the visitors failed to defend their first innings total of 347 runs, Thakur had the bowling figures of 9-0-80-1. Though he was the most wicket-taker (eight wickets) in the recently concluded T20I series in this New Zealand tour, he may fail to save his spot for the upcoming Auckland ODI.
The right-arm fast bowler Navdeep Saini has mostly impressed whenever he has got the opportunities. Now, he has to shine in this situation if he gets an opportunity. Many cricket experts have praised him, and they are expecting a bright future for him.