India v New Zealand, 1st ODI - India Predicted XI

After thoroughly outplaying the New Zealand team in Tests, team India will now look to stamp their authority in ODIs. India’s last home ODI series was not very fruitful as they lost against the touring South Africans. They had a dismal outing in Australia too in January this year. India have tasted success in Tests and T20Is recently, but an ODI series win has eluded them.

With a 5-match series round the corner, skipper MS Dhoni will look to put the best foot forward. The main challenge that lies ahead of the team management is to get the combination right. The 15-member squad is a good blend of youngsters and experienced members. India will take on the Black Caps at Dharamsala for the first ODI.

The surface at the iconic Dharamsala has had something for both batsmen and bowlers. Here is the probable XI that will take the field for India in the first ODI.

Rohit  Sharma:

Rohit Sharma will be back in his opening role after having batted in the middle order in Tests. Rohit’s form has been good coming into the ODI series. He struck 3 half-centuries in the Tests and is among the runs this season. More importantly, he has a history with the ground too.

When India last played at Dharamsala against South Africa in a T20, Rohit hit a brilliant century. He has been in a fine touch in limited overs. He hit a half-century against West Indies recently when India played them in the T20Is in the USA. He is also the team’s leading run scorer in 2016 with 441 runs to his name at an average of 110.25.

Also read – Chris Gayle wants Rohit Sharma to score triple ton in Tests

Ajinkya Rahane:

In absence of Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane is expected to open the innings with Rohit Sharma. Rahane has had a fair bit of success batting at the opening slot. In the 37 innings that he has opened for India, he has hit 1208 runs at an average of 33.55.

He has 2 centuries and 7 fifties to his name at the opening slot. He has a top score of 111 against Sri Lanka when he opened with Shikhar Dhawan. He can be the ideal anchor for the team batting in the top order.

Virat Kohli:

Test skipper Virat Kohli has had a great run in 2016 across all the formats. He will be the batting mainstay in the ODIs. His run chasing ability is not hidden from anyone. If India bats second, the onus would be on Kohli to finish the game.

In the 5 matches that he has played in 2016, Kohli has plundered 381 runs at an average of 76.2 with 2 centuries to his name. His form is peaking at the right time. He recently scored a majestic double ton in the Indore Test. He is middling the ball well for sure.

Also read – I love watching Virat Kohli bat: Mickey Arthur

Manish Pandey:

Young Manish Pandey has been a revelation for Indian cricket. Earlier this year, he guided India to a win with his maiden ton against Australia. The innings of unbeaten 104 is etched in the memories of Indian fans who had a tough time watching India lose 4-1 down under.

He emerged as the leading run-getter when India A toured Australia recently and had impressive scores of 110, 61 and 77. With Suresh Raina not fit for the first ODI, Pandey will have to shoulder the responsibility in the middle order.

Kedar Jadhav:

Wicketkeeper-batsman Kedar Jadhav could well be rewarded with a place in the playing XI owing to Suresh Raina’s absence in the team. Jadhav has been in a good form with twin fifties against Jharkhand in Ranji Trophy. Prior to that, his performances in the quadrangular A team series was also impressive.

He got starts on most occasions for India A. He also scored an unbeaten 93 against NPS on the tour. Jadhav will not be donning the keeping gloves but will be in the reckoning as a specialist batsman in the team.

MS Dhoni:

Skipper MS Dhoni will be back in action after a good break. He led a new look Indian team on the tour to Zimbabwe in June-July. He did not get any opportunity to bat in the ODI series in Zimbabwe. In the T20Is too, he had a solitary opportunity come his way. However, the way he marshaled his troops is worth a mention.

Skipper Dhoni will look to dictate terms in this series with his exceptional leading skills and supernatural wicketkeeping abilities. All eyes would be on the Indian skipper as he returns to action after 2 months.

Hardik Pandya:

Hardik Pandya might fit into the role of the all-rounder in the playing eleven. If Pandya gets a look in, he will be making his ODI debut for India. He has impressed in T20Is and also shown his prowess in the IPL. He wasn’t picked up for the Zimbabwean tour and that might have made him work harder for the ODI spot.

Having been drafted into the squad now, Pandya looks in good shape to be the all-rounder of the team. Having him in the team will give MS Dhoni the option of an extra pace bowler who could fill in the overs if any of the frontline bowlers have a bad day.

Also Watch: Hardik Pandya hits record 39 runs in an over

Jasprit Bumrah:

Jasprit Bumrah made his ODI debut earlier this year in Australia. He has been the bowling sensation ever since his arrival at international level. In the 4 ODIs that he has played this year, Bumrah has scalped 11 wickets with the best of 4/22. He has been the leading wicket-taker for India in 2016.

Bumrah is all set to make his ball do the talking. He will be the spearhead of the bowling lineup. With his accurate yorkers and unusual action, he will hold the key for India’s death bowling in the series.

Also read – I admire Johnson, Akram and Lee: Jasprit Bumrah

Umesh Yadav:

Umesh Yadav will most likely be sharing the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah in the ODI series. Umesh hasn’t had great success in his ODI career yet but can be formidable on his day. With sheer pace and aggression, Umesh will be a key asset with the new ball. MS Dhoni will expect him to bowl better in the slog overs.

He has picked up 79 wickets in 57 matches in his career so far. A key achievement that eludes him is a five-wicket haul. If he gets a go, he would want to improve on that record.

Axar Patel:

Axar Patel will be a like for like replacement for Ravindra Jadeja in the playing XI. With his left-arm bowling, he will try to extract spin and bounce from the track like Jadeja did in the Tests. Having him in the eleven gives Dhoni the depth in the batting line-up. Patel has been in a good form with both bat and ball.

He hit a century in his team’s first match in this Ranji season. He was among the wickets when India toured Zimbabwe earlier this year. He can also play the role of a pinch hitter in the batting line up. He bowls with an economy of 4.41, something that every skipper will be proud of.

Also read – 25 Facts about Axar Patel – The Rising Indian All-Rounder

Amit Mishra:

Amit Mishra will be drafted in the playing eleven as the senior spinner in the team. Unless Dhoni goes for a like for like replacement for Ashwin, Mishra will find a place in the team. If the skipper prefers to go with an off-spinner, Jayant Yadav might get a nod ahead of Mishra.

Mishra has been one of the stalwarts of spin bowling in Indian cricket. The leg-spinner will be keen on leaving an imprint in the series. He was instrumental in the United States in the 2nd T20I against West Indies recently. He had bagged 3/24 in his 4 overs. His experience would help the younger lot in the bowling line-up.