The Indian team will take on New Zealand in 3 matches One Day International series starting on 25th November to be played at Eden Park, Auckland. Shikhar Dhawan will lead the squad and features as there are changes in Deepak Chahar, and Shardul Thakur. Shahbaz Ahmed and Kuldeep Sen will not take part as they have been replacements for the ODI series against Bangladesh.
This series is a part of the ICC ODI Super League tournament. India has no worries as they qualified directly for the 2023 World Cup to be played in India. There will be some players who will be under pressure to perform staking a claim in the Indian squad for next year’s World Cup.
The Indian team lost the ODI series by 0-3 during the 2020 tour of New Zealand. They would be looking to make a mark against a strong Kiwi side in their own den.
Here we look at the 3 Indian players to look out for in the ODI series against New Zealand
- Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan has been struggling for form in ODI cricket lately. During the recent home ODI series against South Africa, Dhawan did not look at best with scores of 4, 13, and 8. Shubman Gill has looked in sensational touch providing flying starts and keeping the momentum going.
Dhawan would be looking to show his attacking skills against a strong New Zealand bowling lineup. He needs to make use of the first 10 overs to create an impact and make sure that India does not struggle in the middle overs.
The opener needs to reinvent himself on good batting pitches on New Zealand soil. He was not a part of the ODI squad that featured in 3 matches ODI series in 2020.
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 23, 2022
- Deepak Chahar
Deepak Chahar makes a return to the Indian ODI squad after recovering from an injury. He played his last ODI match on 22nd November 2022 against Zimbabwe. His ability to provide early wickets in the first 10 overs makes him a lethal bowler to face.
Chahar would be looking to showcase with bowl and provide handy innings lower down the order in ODI cricket. The all-rounder has competition with Shardul Thakur for an all-rounders slot in the playing XI.
The Indian team management would look to make use of his abilities and hope that he can deliver the goods in tough situations.
- Umran Malik
Umran Malik did not get any chances in the recently concluded T20I series against New Zealand. He has speed and accuracy that can trouble any batter. The Jammu and Kashmir express bowler could make his ODI debut in this series.
Indian team has included Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur as pace bowling options . With the pitches likely helpful for the batters, Malik could be an ideal option for the Men in Blue rattling the Kiwi batters.
Malik will be eager to prove his mettle for the Indian team against a strong New Zealand batting lineup on their home soil.
Updated Indian ODI squad to face New Zealand:
Shikhar Dhawan (C), Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Surya Kumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK, VC), Sanju Samson (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Chahar, Umran Malik
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