New Zealand vs India 2019: India's Predicted Playing XI for the second ODI

The Virat Kohli-led Indian Cricket team began their New Zealand tour on a bright note winning the first ODI at McLean Park, Napier by eight wickets (DLS method), having chased down the target in just 34.5 overs.

India had a memorable tour of Australia prior to this series, having won the four-match Test (2-1) and three-match ODI series (2-1), with the T20I series ending 1-1. Fresh from the first ever bilateral ODI series win over the current World champion, Australia in their own backyard, the Men in Blue were confident of replicating their success against the Kiwis.

The first of the five-match ODI series began at Napier on January 23rd (Wednesday) in which the Blackcaps skipper, Kane Williamson opted to bat first on winning the toss. Mitchell Santner, who missed out on the cricketing action for almost ten months returned to the ODI XI.

Batting first, New Zealand managed just 157 runs as they bundled out in 38 overs. Kuldeep Yadav was India's chief tormentor with the ball scalping four wickets. Kohli's men chased down the target quite comfortably- courtesy Shikhar Dhawan's 75* and skipper Kohli's 45 off 59 balls, to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Meanwhile, the BCCI announced that Kohli will be rested for the last two ODIs with Rohit Sharma taking over the captaincy role, which suggests that the young batsman, Shubman Gill is likely to make his ODI debut in either of the ODIs.

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Openers

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan

Rohit Sharma, who amassed 185 runs in the three-match ODI series against Australia recently, met with a rare failure at the top of the order during the first ODI at Napier. Sharma was dismissed for just 11 off 24 balls, in the second delivery of the tenth over off pacer Doug Bracewell. 'Hitman', who will lead the side for the last two ODIs and the T20Is, will be determined to come back stronger in the upcoming games and continue his dominance in the format which he cherishes.

Meanwhile, Rohit's opening partner Shikhar Dhawan returned to form (managed just 55 runs in three ODIs against Australia) amassing 75* off 103 balls that included six fours. 'Gabbar' looked unstoppable and was in full-flow smashing the hapless Kiwi bowlers all over the McLean Park. India will be hoping that Dhawan continues his good run in the upcoming games keeping in mind the 2019 World Cup.

Middle-Order

Dinesh Karthik and Virat Kohli

The Indian skipper missed out on his well-deserved half-century in the first ODI after being dismissed for 45 off 59 balls, which included three fours. Kohli, who amassed 153 runs in the ODIs against Australia, went past the legendary Brian Lara's ODI tally of 10,405 runs at Napier during his knock thereby entering the elite list of top 10 ODI run-getters of all time.

Kedar Jadhav grabbed the opportunity he got at the MCG with both hands, scoring 61* off 57 balls thereby finishing the game alongside MS Dhoni. A useful off-spinner, Jadhav dismissed Henry Nicholls at Napier finishing with the figures of 1/17 in three overs. Dinesh Karthik has been good down the order, finishing the games for Kohli's men and is likely to make the cut replacing Ambati Rayudu at Mount Maunganui, the venue which witnessed two high scoring ODIs between the hosts and Sri Lanka recently.

Wicket-keeper

MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni is second to none when it comes to cricketing knowledge and it was once again evident at McLean Park as his tactic to remove Trent Boult and wrap up New Zealand's innings paid the dividend to Kuldeep and Team India. Kuldeep followed the former skipper's tactic and claimed the wicket of Boult who was caught out by Hitman Rohit Sharma.

Prior to Boult's dismissal, Dhoni effected a stumping off Kuldeep Yadav to send Lockie Ferguson back to the pavilion which signalled the fall of the ninth Kiwi wicket. Dhoni did not come out to bat as India finished the game at the loss of just two wickets. Dhoni, who started off 2019 by scoring three fifties in all three matches against Australia is expected to continue his good run against the Kiwis.

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All-rounder

Vijay Shankar

Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar, who made his debut against Australia at the MCG is likely to retain his place in the XI for the second ODI. Shankar, who failed to pick up a wicket at Melbourne once again went wicket-less at Napier finishing with the figures of 0/19 in four overs. Nevertheless, he is expected to retain his place for the second game.

Spinners

Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav

The wrist spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal were outstanding in the first ODI at Napier and are expected to make the cut for the next game at the Bay Oval. Chahal, who played just one game (third ODI at Melbourne) against Australia during the recently concluded three-match ODI series which the visitors won 2-1, made the XI at the McLean Park as expected. In the 10 overs he bowled, the 28-year-old finished with the figures of 2/43 at an economy of 4.30.

Chahal dismissed former veteran, Ross Taylor and wicket-keeper batsman Tom Latham (both caught and bowled). Meanwhile, Kuldeep was exceptional against Kane Williamson's men in the first encounter picking up four wickets for 39 runs in 10 overs at an economy of 3.90. Some of his deliveries were just unplayable and his perfect execution of MS Dhoni's tactic to dismiss was the major talking point of the first ODI. Expect more magic from 'KulCha' at the Bay Oval!

Pacers

Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami, who became the fastest Indian bowler to take 100 ODI wickets in the last game has been sensational in the absence of chief tormentor Jasprit Bumrah, providing major breakthroughs at regular intervals. The experienced Bengal pacer who took 5 wickets in the three ODIs against Australia was an automatic choice in the XI at Napier, given his bowling credentials. Shami was outstanding with the ball finishing with the figures of 3/19 in six overs at an economy of 3.17.

Skipper Kohli couldn't have asked for more from his bowler who not just took wickets but also bowled tight lengths to restrict the hosts. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who finished the ODI series against Aaron Finch's men as the highest wicket-taker with 8 scalps in three games, bowled five overs at Napier but failed to pick up a wicket giving away 20 runs. Nevertheless, expect Bhuvi to dominate the Kiwi batsmen at the Bay Oval with his swing.