New Zealand vs India 2019: 3 key people NZ missed in the first three matches

It looks like an unexpected turn of events for the Black Caps as they lost the 2019 Netmeds ODI series to India by being crushed three times in a row. For a side that looked impenetrable at home conditions against Sri Lanka in the previous series, this is surely a reality check on the road to the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

They have nothing left to play for in the series except pride. They will surely be looking to win the remaining games, but even that will not give them a convincing consolation as the Indian team would be without the in-form captain Virat Kohli.

The former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor said at the post-match press conference:

There are two more matches to go. Even though the series is gone there is still a lot of pride in the team. Hamilton is a good hunting ground for us as a team. We have to get on to the business and hopefully, we can bounce back in the last two matches.

Taylor is the only bright spot for the home side, being their highest run-scorer in the series so far with his 139 runs which includes a crucial 93 and a 119 run stand for the fourth wicket with Tom Latham in the third one-day international.

India will be motivated to get a clean sweep but they might not give it their everything as they already know that they can handle the hosts a little easier than the previous games. They would want to look whether the team is really as strong as it boasts to be or are there some weaknesses that can be easily exploited.

As of now, it looks like there is something that the New Zealanders are missing. It looks like the most important pages are missing from an award-winning book. Maybe they are missing the key holders that made their team unlock the weak doors of their opposition.

Let us see which three people the Kiwis wish they had after the result of the third ODI against India.

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#3 Brendon Mccullum

Kane Williamson and Brendon Mccullum

He might have faded in recent memory as one of the best international captains from New Zealand but just back in 2015 he was the first captain to lead the country to a World Cup final.

He also holds one of the team's longest undefeated streaks of 13 consecutive wins in home Tests. Last time when India toured New Zealand in 2014, it was the visitors who were on the receiving end of utter failure with just one tied ODI game as a consolation.

Although he was not exceptionally well with the bat, Brendon McCullum still managed to get runs when needed and provide stability to the side. It was in the Test matches of the same tour where he broke out, scoring a mammoth 535 runs in the 4 innings he played.

Given the poor performances by the opening duo of Martin Guptill and Colin Munro in the series so far, New Zealand would really wish that they had the fiery starts of the former captain who could be more than just handy as an opener.

MS Dhoni, who last toured New Zealand as a captain is still playing for the side. McCullum is of the same age as the former India captain and would still have a chance at the playing XI had he not decided to hang up his boots abruptly to concentrate on T20 leagues.

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#2 Mike Hesson

Mike Hesson during New Zealand All Blacks Training Session

Mike Hesson is one of the best coaches the New Zealand side has had. He found the side in mediocrity and rose them to new levels.

It was his suggestion of making McCullum the captain that played rich dividends for the side eventually getting them to a near World Cup win in 2015.

He was the coach back when India was thrashed in New Zealand at 2014. No wonder that all his inputs played a huge role in that series win. Undoubtedly, the former series winning coach's absence had played a huge role in the series loss this time around.

The 44-year-old had a contract ending only after the World Cup 2019 but due to family commitments, he decided to bring an abrupt end to his contract. Had he stayed a little longer, the Kiwis might have won the series just like they did back in 2014, and the previous World Cup runner-ups might have even won their first ever World Cup.

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#1 James Neesham

New Zealand v Sri Lanka - ODI Game 1

While the previous two have moved ahead, James Neesham is still an active part of the side. He was excluded from the squad only because of an injury he sustained earlier in an ODI game against Sri Lanka in their tour of New Zealand.

He had been a vital member of the Kiwi team during Sri Lanka's tour of New Zealand and contributed both with the bat and the ball.

The fiery all-rounder got 123 runs in the three games he played at an explosive strike rate of 219.64. This included a fine knock in the first game where he hit five consecutive sixes in an over of Thisara Perera, scoring 47 from just 13 balls in the process.

He was good with the ball as well getting 6 wickets in the 20 overs he bowled over the course of 3 matches. Neesham will be returning for the last two ODI games against India and the Black Caps would hope that the inclusion of the talismanic all-rounder might change the fortunes for them.

Do you expect Neesham to come in and change the fortunes for New Zealand as the two matches in the ODI and the whole T20I series is still to be played? Register your comments below.

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