Plot:

Around a year ago, New Zealand were in India to play a full series. They didn’t have good memories to take back on that tour, after losing the Test and the ODI series. This time around, they have returned for a tour that comprises of 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is. The two teams kick-start the encounters with the ODI series before the shortest format gets the centre-stage. The Kiwi set up has changed quite a bit from when they were here last year. There are a few new names in the squad, and they will be tested in humid conditions on most of the Indian grounds.

New Zealand will have to contend with some new faces in the Indian squad as well. Kuldeep Yadav has been in good wicket-taking form of late, and he will not be easy to tackle for the Kiwis. Barring batsmen like Kane Williamson, most of the others are susceptible to quality spin bowling, and could have their work cut out against Kuldeep and Yuzvendra Chahal. India’s pace battery has been on top of their game too. Bhuvneshwar Kumar & Jasprit Bumrah have provided quality bowling in abundance for the team. However, the Kiwis do possess some top notch bowlers in their ranks too. Tim Southee and Trent Boult have proven to be dangerous entities for the Kiwis in the past, and hunt in pairs. They will rely on early swing, and are adept in the death too. Mitchell Santner & Ish Sodhi enjoyed bowling in India during the previous World T20, and will hope to achieve similar exploits.

Team India’s ODI squad won’t have Umesh Yadav & Mohammed Shami. Shardul Thakur has returned and will hope to get a game in the 5-match series. In all likelihood, Hardik Pandya will be given the responsibility of the third seamer. He had made his ODI debut against the Kiwis, last year and even bagged a Man of the Match award on debut. Pandya is fresh off a successful series against the Aussies, against who he won the Man of the Series award. His all-round abilities will be key to India’s success yet again. There is little concern in the batting department as a whole, and most of the batsmen are in good touch.

Stage:

Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

The last ODI at the Wankhede was a one-sided, high-scoring affair. The Proteas had amassed over 400, and India were out of the game for most parts of the chase. The pitch is traditionally good for batting and full of runs. The new ball will swing under lights, and teams could look to chase down a target if they win the toss.

Acts:

Rohit Sharma vs Trent Boult:

In 2017, Rohit has fallen prey to a few left-arm quicks – Mohammad Amir, Jason Behrendorff to name a couple. He will have to face Trent Boult early in his innings when he comes out to bat. Boult has the ability to swing the ball back in, and Rohit will have to be wary of that delivery. If Rohit gets set, then Boult could be in for a bashing too. This contest should be fun to watch.

Virat Kohli vs Kane Williamson:

They are captains, and are young too! Both of them have a hunger for runs that will never cease. Williamson didn’t have a great series the last time he came over to India and will look to make amends on batting-friendly wickets. Virat Kohli couldn’t score a hundred against the Aussies, and will want to get to the three-figured mark against the Kiwis. Which of these two captains can get off to a positive start?

Kuldeep Yadav vs Ross Taylor:

Ross Taylor may be going through his last few years in international cricket, but there is no doubt that he is one of the better players of spin in the Kiwi setup. He will face Kuldeep for perhaps the first time in his career, and reading him early will be the key for Ross who loves bringing out picturesque sweeps. Will he be cautious against the lethal spinner, or take him on early in the innings?