India vs New Zealand, 4th ODI: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis

#2 New Zealand look better with three all-rounders

Nicholls repaid the team's faith with an unbeaten knock

After the mauling in the first three ODIs, New Zealand decided to ring in the changes for Hamilton. Astle came in for Sodhi, Neesham replaced Munro and Henry returned at the expense of Bracewell.

Though the trio barely had anything to do, the tweaks seem a step in the right direction. Over the course of the series, the hosts have been battling questions over their team balance. Yet, on Thursday, they seemed to put out the ideal XI on paper.

With three all-rounders in the mix, New Zealand has enough variety in their bowling while also not compromising on their batting.

Additionally, Nicholls at the top of the order is a safer option than Munro. Though the former might not blaze away, he would provide sound starts more often than not, thus enabling the likes of Guptill to break the shackles at the other end.

Cricket is rarely ever played on paper and even though New Zealand weren’t accorded the chance to display their full repertoire at Hamilton, one just gets the feeling that this combination of all-rounders could be the best alternative moving forward.

Despite the resounding result coming in a dead rubber, the inconsequential game might just have provided New Zealand with a template for the World Cup.