New Zealand vs India, 2nd ODI, Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

The first ODI between New Zealand and India turned out to be a damp squib. The home side crumbled uncharacteristically against the Indian wrist spinners and will have to deal with it even more as the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui is known to dish out turning tracks. The Kiwis have been superb at home over the last five years and would definitely look to come back strongly in order to level the series which should make this game even more interesting.

India, however, are playing on 69th Republic Day of the country and a win is all will be on their minds. Their confidence is sky high after a clinical performance in the series opener and no wonder are the favourites to extend their lead. Hardik Pandya will have joined the team just before the start of the game after the CoA lifted the suspension on him provisionally on Thursday.

Kane Williamson was the lone ranger for his team with the bat in Napier. While his form is important for the team, the others are expected to bat around their skipper which didn’t happen in the first ODI. Even the bowling looked toothless but they couldn’t have done much with not many runs on the board. Only one spinner in Mitchell Santner didn’t help their cause and expect Ish Sodhi to come in for this game.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at the Bay Oval is a decent batting track. It will help the spinners as the match progresses which is why the team winning the toss will bat first. Though the record for the chasing teams is not too bad at the venue in last five matches (3 losses and 2 wins). It is a great day to play cricket with the temperatures hovering around 23-25 Degrees Celsius and the play will not be interrupted due to extreme sunlight as well.

Team Combinations

New Zealand

The Black Caps have to ponder over their combination a bit. It was surprising to see Ish Sodhi sitting out and he might come back in the XI at the expense of Tim Southee who didn’t look threatening in Napier. Colin Munro and Martin Guptill are the explosive openers for the side with the former struggling to get runs while Williamson and the veteran Taylor form a strong middle-order. Henry Nicholls and Tom Latham, the two left-handers, will bat at five and six and should improve their technique against the spinners.

Doug Bracewell will get another opportunity to fill in the all-rounder’s slot which means Colin de Grandhomme might have to wait more for his chance. Mitch Santner and Sodhi are the spin-twins while Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson form the new-ball pair.

Probable XI: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Doug Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson.

India

India have no reason to change their winning combination and perhaps because they weren’t tested enough in the previous game. Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli are unmoved at the top three with Ambati Rayudu at four followed by MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav and Vijay Shankar. Shankar might be playing his last match on the tour as Hardik Pandya will be joining the squad soon and might even play the third ODI.

Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav are the wrist-spinners who will undoubtedly play with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami sharing the new ball.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Bhuvnveshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Probable Top Performers

Kane Williamson – New Zealand | MS Dhoni – India

Broadcast Details

TV – Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi and Star Sports 1 Hindi HD

Live Streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings – 7:30 IST; 15:00 local

The prediction is for India to continue their dominance and take a 2-0 lead in the series.

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