India v New Zealand, 2nd ODI – India Predicted XI

When team India took on the visiting New Zealand side in the first ODI at Mumbai recently, they were expected to run over their opposition. The kind of form that the men in blue have shown in the recent times strengthened their claims coming in to the 3-match ODI series. Also, the fact that the black caps have not had the most consistent times in the recent past, put things in India’s corner.

However, the Kiwi team turned up the heat on the Indian side in the first ODI to come out victorious by 6 wickets. A resounding batting show by the Kiwi middle-order, which was preceded by some exceptional swing bowling by Trent Boult set up the base for New Zealand win. Team India have certainly been put on the back foot as they know that the Kiwi team is not a push over unit.

Moreover, it will not be wrong to quote that the pressure will now be on the Virat Kohli-led side when the two teams lock horns for the second ODI at the MCA Stadium, Pune. Pune has not been a happy hunting ground for the hosts and they would want to work on their record at the venue. Needless to say, the team will try to put forth their best combinations going in to the game.

Here is the India Predicted XI for the second ODI:

Openers (Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan)

Rohit Sharma got off to a decent start in the first ODI but could not quite capitalize on the early kick start that he got. Also, he has been in stunning form in the recent times. He was the top scorer for India in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia. He will expect to make things count against the Kiwis too.

Shikhar Dhawan has emerged out to be one of the bankable stars for the hosts. However, he failed to get his act going in the first game. Now, with the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, who has been in some serious form, sitting out, the pressure will be on Shikhar to score in this game. He is likely to feature ahead of Rahane in the match.

Middle-Order (Virat Kohli, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik)

Indian skipper Virat Kohli was the top scorer for team India in the first ODI. His masterly ton bailed the team out of hot waters in the previous game. The veteran campaigner will be expected to continue his good run with the bat. With 121 to his name in the first ODI, Kohli would want to make his presence count again.

Kedar Jadhav had a troubled time in the previous ODI. He played with a strike rate lesser than 40, which is very uncharacteristic by his reputations. However, he is likely to be retained in the side ahead of Manish Pandey owing to his part time bowling abilities.

Dinesh Karthik was picked ahead of Manish Pandey and Ajinkya Rahane in the line up. His selection in the team is an indicator that the management is looking at a potential complete batsman in the middle order. Karthik’s recent form has been good. It will only be unfair to drop him after he scored a decent 37 in the first ODI.

Wicket-Keeper (MS Dhoni)

Wicket-keeper MS Dhoni has been under constant pressure to perform. With the youngsters knocking the doors of the national side, pressure has only increased manifold on the former Indian skipper. Dhoni got off to a start and did all the hard work to settle at the crease for 25 in the previous ODI. However, he perished at a time when he was expected to up the ante.

All-rounder (Hardik Pandya)

Hardik Pandya arrived in to the series riding on an impressive outing against the Aussies. Hardik was named the Player of the Series in the ODI series against Australia recently. He has grown in stature and the team now looks up to him for big finishes. He showed some promise in the previous ODI with a six and a four to his name but could not get going. He would want to work on it now.

Spinners (Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal)

The new spin twins of team India, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, had a very tough time in the first ODI. They arrived in the game riding on big reputations. However, the opposition seemed to have done their homework right ahead of the game.

Kuldeep was taken away for 64 runs in his quota of 10 overs. He, however, managed to get the big wicket of Kane Williamson in the match. On the other hand, Yuzvendra Chahal managed to be on the better side of the economy rate of 6 in the match. But, he went wicketless for the 51 runs he leaked in the game.

Pace bowlers (Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah)

Ace swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar is likely to be retained in the playing eleven for the match. He has been a proven asset with the new ball. Not only does Bhuvneshwar Kumar hold the key for India with the new ball, but also has been a proven lower order batsman. Bhuvi hit a couple of sixes to provide the final impetus to the Indian innings in the first ODI.

Jasprit Bumrah is likely to assist Bhuvi in the pace department. Albeit he has an off day at work in the first ODI, he had a wicket to show against his name. Also, it will not be prudent for team India to field Shardul Thakur in his place so soon.