After hammering Australia 4-1 in the One-day international series, the Indian Cricket team takes on New Zealand in three-match series starting on 22nd October. Last time New Zealand came to India last year, team India won the series 3-2. But this time around, under the captaincy of Virat Kohli team India is playing good quality cricket and hope to regain the number 1 rankings in ODI cricket. It promises to be another good series as both teams have good quality players.
Here we look at the top 5 players to watch out for in India- New Zealand ODI series.
The Indian team captain Virat Kohli did not have a great ODI series against Australia with the best score of 92. His performance against New Zealand during last year’s ODI series was great playing match-winning knocks when the team struggled. This time around, Virat Kohli as the captain of Indian team would be looking to perform in the same manner. New Zealand has a top quality opening bowlers with Trent Boult and Tim Southee, if he manages to play those two bowlers well, Kohli could surpass Ricky Pointing record of most centuries in ODI cricket.
- Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson, the captain of New Zealand team played well in last year;s ODI series against India. He scored a century in second One day international at Delhi where he scored 118 runs and helped his side win the match by 6 runs. He comes at number 3 and plays according to the situation. If New Zealand wants to series against this strong Indian team, then Kane Williamson must play with positive intent and help New Zealand post big scores to put pressure on Indian batting order.
- Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya performed exceptionally well in the ODI series against Australia where he was named as man of the series. He showed his credentials with both and bat scoring 222 runs, along with taking 6 wickets. The hard-hitting all-rounder made his ODI debut against New Zealand last year. Since then he has improved and would be looking to continue his brilliant performance in upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.
- Trent Boult
Trent Boult the left arm fast bowler will be the main threat for team India in the upcoming ODI series starting from 22nd October. He performed well during last year;s picking wickets with the new ball and also controlling the run flow in the death over’s. His ability to bring the ball back into the right-handed batsmen makes him a lethal bowler to face. If Boult could top 3 wickets of Indian batting line up then, New Zealand might have a chance of surprising, team India.
Kuldeep Yadav the young left-arm Chinamen bowled with great control in the ODI series against Australia. He took a hattrick in 2nd One day international at Kolkata which changed the course of the match and helped India to win the match with ease defending 253. It was a good performance by Kuldeep Yadav who took 7 wickets in 4 matches. He would be an attacking option against the New Zealand batsmen that have played the left arm spinner in the Indian Premier League. With Kuldeep Yadav performing well in ODI format, he would be a big bowler for team India in the middle overs.