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

#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.