New Zealand vs India: 4 reasons why India may not win the ODI series

The Indian Cricket Team is basking in the glory of their historic tour Down Under which saw them coming them unbeaten across all formats which is a first for any side touring Australia.

But now the focus shifts to Australia's neighbours New Zealand. The black caps are a tough team to beat anywhere nowadays more so at their own backyard. They are fresh off after comprehensively beating the hapless Lankan side in each, and every game in the recent home series.

The Kiwi's form in the recent past makes them deadly dangerous particularly in the coloured clothing and India will need to be wary of that. The men in blue may have beaten the Australian side but at their current strength, they are not as strong as this New Zealand side.

India’s ODI Squad to New Zealand

Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli (C), Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (WK), Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Shami

With that being said, here are 5 reasons why India may not win the ODI series against New Zealand.

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#4 The Sixth bowling option may come to haunt India in middle overs

Kedar Jadhav may find it difficult in New Zealand

While India may have come unscratched from the Australia tour where the use of the sixth bowling option didn't require much or they didn't go for plenty.

But in New Zealand where the boundaries are small and big hitters in the opposition, it might be difficult for the part-timer to restrict the flow of runs against the likes of Ross Taylor or Kane Williamson who will look to score fours, and sixes more often than not.

There is also no guarantee that all the 5 frontline bowlers will finish their quota of 10 overs as the tracks in New Zealand are relatively flat compared to other countries, and on their bad day, one might go for big runs. In such scenario's a 6th bowling option is a must.

#3 Hardik Pandya's absence

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya would have been a more than a useful player in the New Zealand conditions. Not only his bowling will be missed sorely by the men in blue, his ability to clear boundaries with the bat, especially in the small grounds. His absence is a huge bonus for the hosts.

Hardik Pandya is currently suspended for his inappropriate comments in television show along with the fellow Indian cricketer, and great talent KL Rahul.

Pandya's replacement Vijay Shankar is a great find for the team but he is relatively inexperienced at the highest level. He made his ODI debut in the last match against Australia at Melbourne and did a great job with the ball, and didn't get a chance to bat.

But New Zealand is a different proposition altogether, they have enough firepower to decimate any attack, and Vijay Shankar's pace may not make his case any easier.

#2 New Zealand's batting order might

Kane Williamson has led the side quite well

If there is a batting order that is strong enough to win the world cup right now, it has to be England, New Zealand and India. The black caps have a deadly opening pair in Martin Guptill and Colin Munro which can rip apart any bowling opposition.

Their number 3 is Kane Williamson who may not be as good as Virat Kohli but he has proved to be a good limited overs batsman. Then the middle-order consisting of the old workhorse Ross Taylor who has been in a great purple patch, and he has done quite well against India., Henry Nicholas who has been great form against Sri Lanka followed by a recently returned Jimmy Neesham whose all-around abilities cannot be taken lightly.

New Zealand has also been lucky enough to have bowlers who make some useful contributions which might test India.

#1 Over-reliance on Top-order

MS needs to step up again

MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav may have taken the side to a historic ODI win at Melbourne in the 3rd match to win the series, but questions still remain as the world cup approaches as who is the number 4.

Kedhar Jadhav was included at the expense of Ambati Rayudu, due to team combination, and MS Dhoni was promoted to No.4 in the batting order, and it worked this time around. Barring MS Dhoni no one in the middle order has been consistent in the recent times, and this was felt in the Adelaide ODI where the top order failed, and the batsman following them cannot help the side with huge scores to win the game.

India cannot afford to let the same kind of situation at an important world cup game as that would hamper India's chances of winning the tournament.