New Zealand Aims to Avoid Home ODI Series Defeat Against India

New Zealand Aims to Stay Unbeaten

The last time New Zealand lost an ODI series at home was seven years ago against India, Cricinfo reported. That winning streak of 11 series has already ended due to two defeats and a no result against the same opponent. New Zealand can still stay unbeaten in the ongoing series by winning both remaining matches in Mount Maunganui.

The weather is finally set fair for the two ODIs on Friday and Sunday. This forecast promises uncurtailed matches and more batting-friendly pitches following the seam-friendly tracks in Auckland and Hamilton. Batters must quickly revert to traditional ODI pacing after two matches of mixing survival games with heightened attack.

Test Camp Departures Alter Squads

Schedules force both teams to compromise some of their focus on the current One Day Internationals. Just three days separate the end of the ODIs and the start of the first Test match.

India sent half their coaching staff, captain Shubman Gill, and seam bowler Anshul Kamboj to the Test camp. New Zealand dispatched half their coaching staff, Test captain Tom Latham, and several key players to their own Test camp.

Finn Allen, Mitch Hay, Dean Foxcroft, Nick Kelly, and Brett Randell join the New Zealand ODI squad. Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, and Henry Nicholls departed for Test preparations. Blair Tickner remains unavailable after suffering a concussion during the second ODI. Matt Henry stays with the squad to get some overs in before joining his Test teammates.

Squad Lineups for Mount Maunganui

New Zealand’s probable playing XI features Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Will Young, Nick Kelly, Mitch Hay, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Dean Foxcroft, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Fisher or Kristian Clarke or Matt Henry, and Jacob Duffy.

India’s probable team lists Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Auqib Nabi, Mohammed Siraj or Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, and Arshdeep Singh.

Ishan Kishan will likely open in Gill’s absence. Mohammed Siraj could play only his second international match since the Sri Lanka tour in August, as Kamboj left for the Test camp. Kuldeep Yadav remains with the ODI squad as an option if conditions demand a second spinner.

Shreyas Iyer Leads India in ODIs for the First Time

In Gill’s absence, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer will lead India in ODIs for the first time. Iyer has not experienced the best run in ODIs so far, but trampoline-like bounce and seam movement in previous matches brought intense focus back on the short ball against him.

“Those two matches, though, can’t be used as any sort of evidence to suggest a pattern,” Sidharth Monga wrote for Cricinfo regarding Iyer’s struggles.

Iyer must put those performances out of his mind when he goes out to bat on Friday.

Tim Seifert faces the longest run he has had in ODIs. He knows this opportunity could end if he fails to post a big score. Injuries opened the door for Seifert in a top order that is usually packed.

India won two and lost one of their three ODIs at the Bay Oval. The last four day-night matches at the venue were won by the chasing team. Friday’s match starts at Mount Maunganui.