IND v NZ, 5th ODI Preview: High-Flying New Zealand looks to add colour to ongoing Indian tour

The final IND v NZ ODI will see both teams bringing their ‘A’ game to the fore as they aim to make amends for the Test series that ended rather disastrously for the visitors. As for the Indians, they will be hoping to avoid a second series defeat in an ODI series on the spin. The last ODI series at home was against South Africa, a series they lost 3-2.

However, this time around, there has been a change in personnel for the Indians with the MS Dhoni-led brigade opting to field a young, exuberant, as well as an energetic unit. It will also take some time for the team to gel together along with coach Anil Kumble.

That said, an extremely important encounter is on the cards with pride and bragging rights on the line. The Indians, on the other hand, can say goodbye to claiming the third position on the ICC World Rankings. Moreover, the Kiwis have never played in Vizag and will be looking for their first win at this venue.

Team Analysis

India

MS Dhoni and his men have a good record in Vizag. However, in spite of having won their first few encounters, there have been a few blemishes lately with two matches against the West Indies not yielding the desired results for the Indians. Yet, that will not be of much consequence for the Indian skipper and his band of merry men as they will look to avoid a second series loss at home on the spin.

In terms of team selection, it is highly unlikely that the Indians will change much given the fact that continuity is one of their most important aspects. However, in spite of this, it is likely that a few underperforming players will be removed from the side in favor of others placed on the bench at the moment.

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Mandeep Singh, who has impressed in recent times may well receive his call-up while Jayant Yadav may get the look-in ahead of Amit Mishra who has not been at his best in recent times. Dhawal Kulkarni is expected to hold onto his place in the side.

New Zealand

The Kiwis will be entering the final ODI full of optimism. Of course, they have been rather sketchy in recent times, the optimism will be running rather high as they will be hoping to claim their first win in a bilateral series against India in the Indian subcontinent. Kane Williamson will most certainly have this thought at the back of his mind.

As far as team selection goes, the Kiwis will be expected to add to their existing spinning options given the dryness of the surface in Vishakapatnam. Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner, and Anton Devcich will all be expected to make their way into the squad along with Trent Boult and Tim Southee expected to complete the bowling unit. Corey Anderson will add support to the two.

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Playing XI (Probable)

India: MS Dhoni (C & WK), Ajinkya Rahane, Mandeep Singh, Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Amit Mishra, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (C), BJ Watling (WK), Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, Anton Devcich, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi

Match details:

Telecast on Star Sports 1, 1HD, 3, 3HD

Time: 13:30 IST

StAttack:

1. New Zealand has never won a series in India neither ODIs nor Tests. This is their 5th attempt and perhaps their best possible attempt.

2. Virat Kohli requires 174 runs to complete 1000 runs against New Zealand in ODIs. he has an average of almost 68.

3. Ross Taylor requires 193 runs to complete 6000 ODI runs. He will become the fourth New Zealand player to achieve this feat.

4. Martin Guptill requires 5 runs to complete 5000 ODI runs. Tim Southee, on the other hand, requires 8 wickets to complete 150 ODI wickets.

5, From the 6 matches played at this venue, the Indians have won four. The West Indies have clinched one with the other match canceled.