New Zealand vs India 2019: India's Predicted Playing XI for 1st ODI 

India defeated Australia in the third and the final ODI at MCG to win the series 2-1. There were a lot of concerns about the Indian ODI team, especially India's middle-order woes, but the team management will be relieved to see their batsmen performing in pressure situations. After the victory against the Aussies, India's next assignment will be the ODI series against New Zealand.

New Zealand will host India in a 5-match ODI series which will begin from 23rd of January at Napier.

New Zealand outplayed the visiting Sri Lankan team in the recently concluded ODI series and the team's confidence will be sky high. The Kiwis will also be buoyed with the return of Tom Latham and Colin de Grandhomme, who were rested against Sri Lanka and Mitchell Santner, who is on a comeback trail after a long injury layoff. New Zealand is a formidable outfit and defeating them at their own backyard will be a daunting task for the Men in Blue.

With the view of finding the best possible combination ahead of the World Cup, the Indian team tinkered with the playing XI against Australia. With so many options available, it will be interesting to see if they stick with the winning combination or they continue experimenting with the side. Here is India's predicted playing XI for the series opener against New Zealand.

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#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit scored 133 runs in the first ODI against Australia

Rohit Sharma played a stunning knock of 133 runs in the first ODI against Australia. He also laid a strong foundation for India's successful chase in the second ODI. Rohit has been in spectacular form off late and will look to take advantage of the small boundaries in New Zealand. However, he will need to start cautiously against the likes of Trent Boult and Tim Southee.

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#2 Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan will look to get back in form against the Kiwis

Shikhar Dhawan scored just 55 runs in the 3 matches against Australia, but the Indian team won't be very concerned about his form. The southpaw got a couple of good starts before getting out due to soft dismissals. Dhawan does not take much time to get back in form and will be keen to score big runs against the Kiwis.

#3 Virat Kohli

Kohli raises his bat after scoring a century in the second ODI

Virat Kohli continued his purple patch in ODI cricket and scored his 39th ODI ton in the second ODI against Australia. Kohli also played a useful hand in the final ODI. But Kohli will face much stronger opponents in New Zealand who have been in excellent form off late. Apart from his batting, Kohli will have his task cut out as a captain to contain the likes of Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor.

#4 MS Dhoni

Dhoni pulls one away

Amidst all the questions about his retirement and ineffectiveness as an ODI batsman, MS Dhoni delivered a man-of-the-series performance against the Aussies. The former India captain mastered two tough run chases and showed the importance of experience in tight matches. And as always Dhoni's glove work was clinical behind the stumps. Dhoni's resurgence as a batsman gives a lot of solidity to the Indian ODI side.

#5 Kedar Jadhav

Jadhav was involved in a match-winning partnership with MS Dhoni

Kedar Jadhav's omission from the playing XI in the first two ODIs raised quite a few eyebrows. And his performance in the third ODI made that decision look even sillier. Jadhav came in to bat when India still needed over 100 runs with the asking rate being around 6. But he did not falter and stitched a match-winning partnership with CSK captain MS Dhoni. Jadhav also provides an extra bowling option to the captain.

#6 Dinesh Karthik

Karthik has been given the responsibility to finish games for Team India

Team India seems to have identified Dinesh Karthik as the finisher, the role he perfected in the second ODI. Karthik came to the crease at a tough time in the second ODI, but he kept his cool and played a superb cameo to take India home. The Indian team management is backing Karthik to deliver the goods and he is expected to be given more chances in the series against New Zealand.

#7 Vijay Shankar

Shankar is likely to get a long run in the ODI side

Vijay Shankar made his ODI debut in the third ODI against Australia. Shankar came into the team after some strong performances for India A. Even though he did not get an opportunity with the bat, he bowled a tidy spell with the ball and is expected to retain his place in the playing XI. Also, team India will like to have a fast bowling all-rounder in the squad in case of Hardik Pandya's unavailability.

#8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvi dismissed Finch thrice in the ODI series

After a mediocre series against West Indies at home, Bhuvneshwar Kumar looked at his best against Australia. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar led the Indian bowling-attack exceptionally well. He was the highest wicket-taker of the series with 8 wickets. The right-arm seamer is expected to be even more lethal on New Zealand pitches, which are conducive to swing bowling.

#9 Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep cannot be kept out of the playing XI for too long

After sitting out in the last ODI against Australia, Kuldeep Yadav is expected to return in the playing XI at the expense of Ravindra Jadeja. Even though Jadeja bowled tight spells, he wasn't able to take too many wickets. Moreover, he went for plenty in the last ODI. Kuldeep has been exceptional for team India in ODIs and the team management might not keep him out of the playing XI for too long.

#10 Mohammed Shami

Shami looked sharp against Australia

One of the biggest plus points from the series against Australia was Mohd Shami's form. The 28-year-old has been in and out of the Indian ODI team, but due to the unavailability of Bumrah he got a chance to play all the three matches and Shami grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He looked sharp with the ball taking 5 wickets in the series. A good performance against New Zealand might help Shami confirm a place in India's World Cup squad.

#11 Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal took 6 for 42 in the series decider

After being dropped from the side in the first two matches, Yuzvendra Chahal made a grand comeback in final ODI. Chahal troubled the Australian batsmen with his spin and took 6 wickets for 42 runs. The leg-spinner was the difference between the two sides and was named the man-of-the-match. Chahal will be a handful for the Kiwi batsmen.