New Zealand vs India 2019: Four reasons why India dominated the first ODI

After a brief hiatus where New Zealand played a lot of International cricket on foreign shores, the Kiwis are finally ready for some home action as the side is now hosting India in an eight-match tour - 5 ODIs, followed by 3 T20Is.

The McLean Park at Napier got its first dosage of International cricket in a couple of years, as the grounds had previously been stripped of its "International venue" status owing to poor drainage facilities which have now improved, and as a result, the Park is back in the game.

India, who is coming into the tour after a historic run in Australia, thrashed New Zealand by eight wickets in a one-sided contest. They were able to skittle out the Kiwis for just 157 runs and followed it up with a solid batting display as Kohli and his compatriots made short work of the relatively-easy chase.

Let us now take a look at some major factors why India were able to defeat New Zealand in a convincing manner:

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#1 The spin duo of Chahal and Kuldeep

Kul-Cha, the recipe of India's success

With each passing game, a recurring point that gets proven is about the Kul-Cha duo, India's most lethal bowling pair in recent years. The presence of Hardik Pandya as a third pacer generally helped Kohli to field the both of them in the starting eleven, and the move has continued to reap rewards.

However, Hardik's absence in the squad created an imbalance. India had to field an extra batsman and an extra pacer costing Chahal his place in the playing side. Vijay Shankar's emergence in the lineup has effectively replaced Hardik at least in designation, and that helped Kohli to field Kuldeep and Chahal in the eleven today.

In the 20 overs bowled between them, Kuldeep finished with 4/39 and Chahal with 2/43. Six wickets for 82 runs in 20 overs. That is impressive, to say the least. While Kuldeep accounted for Williamson who was looking to play another big inning, Chahal took care of Ross Taylor and Tom Latham. These wickets arrested any development in the Kiwi scoreline, and the rest was - as the reader may have seen it - worth minimal effort from India.

#2 Mohammad Shami has started to impress in the ODI format

Shami has been in good form in ODIs

India's main strike bowler, as far as the World Cup 2019 is concerned, is going to be Jasprit Bumrah. The Mumbai quick had a rocking series in Australia in the Tests and was understandably allowed a rest from his year-long set of assignments in the National colors for the ODI series in Australia and New Zealand.

While Bumrah was away, it was expected that the remaining pacers - Umesh, Shami, Bhuvi and the deputies - Khaleel and Siraj - would get some more playing time so as to tune themselves for the big prize ahead at England. And as of latest, it looks like Shami has managed to place himself at one or two cuts above the rest, with his clinical hit-the-deck bowling.

With Bhuvi and Bumrah being favored most, Shami was often limited to being a third pacer or a squad member. The right-arm fast bowler has stuck to his routine and continue to impress whenever he gets a chance in the playing XI.

Shami rattled the top-order, picking up wickets of Martin Guptill and Colin Munro, causing the Kiwis to start spiraling beyond any control. His relentless swing and line, coupled with ample pace also earned him Mitch Santner's wicket later on. Shami's ODI tally now stands at 102 wickets from 56 games - the fastest Indian ever to reach the 100-ODI-wickets mark.

#3 Commendable efforts on the field

Indian fielding has improved under the captaincy of Virat Kohli

Apart from bowling in the right areas to unsettle the New Zealand batsmen, the Indian players also displayed some solid efforts on the field. Kuldeep Yadav, for instance, made a neat and accurate diving effort to get the better of Henry Nicholls' shot.

At least five boundaries were saved thanks to precise field placements. Rohit Sharma in the slips was as usual brilliant as he pocketed a smart catch as Trent Boult failed to bring the bat down while trying to defend Kuldeep, and instead thick-edged it to slips.

Earlier, India used to be a side famous for its batting lineup. India was never known for its fielding. Things changed in the early 2000s with the entry Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina.

Now, the current Indian lot led by Skipper Kohli is one of the best fielding units in the world.

#4 Indian batting rose up to expectations

India top-order hardly disappoints

A target of 157 is never going to trouble India in the small grounds of New Zealand. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan (75*) started Indian Innings on a calm note without any haste. Though the 41-run stand was broken unexpectedly courtesy of Rohit's mistake, it was enough to make a dent in New Zealand's bowling.

Then came Kohli (45) who added some more runs to his already humongous career numbers, also entering into the ODI Top-10 list in the process.

Afterward came Rayudu, who played the role of a dutiful no.4, providing sufficient companionship to Dhawan who meanwhile had become the third fastest in history to 5000 ODI runs (118 innings). The duo finished off the chase without further damage, and it is safe to say that India may have begun their batting practice ahead of the World Cup.