New Zealand have dominated limited-overs contests against India in the recent times but the latter did not let this piece of history play a role in the first One-Day International (ODI) at Dharamsala, and registered a comprehensive victory by six wickets. This means New Zealand have lost all four matches (3 Tests and 1 ODI) on this tour courtesy India’s dominating show. From Dharamsala, the teams move to the iconic Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi where they are set to clash in the second ODI of this series. The venue in the capital area has been amongst India’s lucky grounds and once again the hosts will start favourites. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI at Feroz Shah Kotla
Out of the 18 ODIs that India have played at Kotla, they have won 12 and lost 5. India’s last international at this venue was the final Test against South Africa in December 2015, which will be best remembered for Ajinkya Rahane’s twin tons and the ‘blockathon’ produced by Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Temba Bavuma, which still could not prevent a 0-3 defeat. The ODI was played here two years back in the controversy-marred series against West Indies where the visitors chasing 264 collapsed from a comfortable 170 for 2 to 215.
The big news from India’s camp is the unavailability of the experienced Suresh Raina, who last played an ODI a year back. One of India’s vital cog in limited-overs cricket, Raina lost form after the ICC World Cup 2015 and that saw him lose his place in the side after the South Africa series. Raina is yet to recover from the bout of viral fever that kept him away from the first ODI. ALSO READ: India vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI at Delhi, Team Preview: Visitors eye first win on tour
Unfortunate but Raina’s loss is Kedar Jadhav’s gain. The Maharasthra skipper has wealth of experience behind him in domestic cricket and has excelled in national colours whenever an opportunity has come by. Kedar averages an impressive 52 with a strike rate of over 104 in the 8 ODIs he has played so far, and with his off-spin, he contributed with two wickets in the first ODI. He is also a part-time wicketkeeper and that makes him a complete package.
With the side having begun their ICC Champions Trophy 2017 preparation, the 31-year-old will have another opportunity to put up a stellar show and seal a place in the side in this format.
All eyes will be on Delhi’s own Virat Kohli. The last time he played an international at Delhi, he was captaining the Test side. Kohli will be playing his sixth ODI at his home ground. He averages 64.33 from his outings here so far and had struck a ton against England five years back. The 27-year-old is a run-machine in this format and is on his way to become the greatest-ever in ODIs. Don’t be surprised if the runs continue to flow from his willow. ALSO READ: IND vs NZ, 2nd ODI, Preview & Predictions: Clueless Kiwis face daunting task to stop rampant hosts
It is also a good opportunity for India to groom Manish Pandey as a finisher. This, in return, gives an opportunity to captain MS Dhoni to bat up the order. In Dharamsala, we saw Pandey bat at No.4 and Dhoni at No.5. Dhoni can reverse the positions as the opportunity is ideal to groom a new finisher and Pandey definitely has the skills for the same. Time and again, he has finished games in IPL and domestic cricket. He was also excellent as India A’s captain in Australia and his maiden ODI hundred at Sydney earlier this year is fresh in minds.
One man who needs to make opportunities count is Rahane. In the Delhi Test last year, it was him who won the war against the pitch. There is no doubt about his quality and his 33 in the first ODI was alluring to the eyes. He has been trusted with the job of opening the innings in absence of Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul. He has played this role to perfection in the past but inconsistency and not making starts count by throwing his wicket has hampered his progress in coloured clothing. With the likes of Pandey and Rahul waiting in the wings, Rahane has an opportunity to make things count. It was here, he struck those two brilliant Test hundreds to silence the doubters who raised concerns against his technique in Indian conditions. He can do the same by producing a special knock at Kotla once again and opening gives him that chance.
Once India play a full side, the likes of Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin will share the major load of bowling. The current scenario gives the fringe a chance to deliver. It was Umesh Yadav and Hardik Pandya who scripted the win in first ODI with their disciplined first spell. Umesh, who was India’s highest wicket-taker in the ICC World Cup 2015, has problems with consistency and can be erratic at times. A senior bowler of this side, Umesh will have to show consistency and because at his pace he is an asset to any side. It is just the matter of discipline. ALSO READ: IND vs NZ, 2nd ODI: Visitors need to get Watling into the mix
Jasprit Bumrah seems to have a very matured head over his shoulders and he is already being groomed for bigger things. Pandya made an impressive ODI debut on Sunday but how well he adapts to the big stage may go on to determine India’s future in ODI cricket. He has the ingredients of the impactful fast-bowling all-rounder that India have failed to find in Stuart Binny and Rishi Dhawan.
Pandya was key to India’s success in the Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) earlier this year but fell flat with his performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and as a result was dropped for the Zimbabwe and West Indies tours. He has made a strong comeback at Dharamsala where his nagging accuracy and discipline with the ball was hallmark. Can he repeat the same on a consistent basis will be the question?
The hiccup at Dharamsala does not take anything away from the fact that New Zealand are a formidable limited-overs side, in fact placed above India in the ICC ODI rankings and one can expect them to come hard at Delhi.
(Suvajit Mustafi consumes cricket for lunch, fiction for dinner and munches numerous other snacks throughout the day. Yes, a jack of several trades, all Suvajit dreamt of was being India’s World Cup winning skipper but ended up being a sports writer, author, screenwriter, director, copywriter, graphic designer, sports marketer, strategist, entrepreneur, philosopher and traveller. Donning so many hats, it’s cricket which gives him the ultimate high and where he finds solace. He can be followed at @RibsGully and rivu7)
Written by 
