New Delhi:
New Zealand has been in great form in the last one year when it comes to the ODI format and they are all set to square off against Virat Kohli’s Indian cricket team, a side on top of its game in the current tour of Australia. Tom Latham and Colin de Grandhomme, two people who were rested in the series against Sri Lanka, make a comeback to the side along with Trent Boult and Kane Williamson, who were rested for the Twenty20 International. New Zealand will play five ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals against India in what will be a massive series for the Blackcaps, who lost 2-3 and 1-2 in the two series which were played in India in 2016 and 2017.
Along with the likes of Latham and de Grandhomme, the side also sees the return of Mitchell Santner, who was out of action for close to 10 months due to a knee injury and made a comeback in the Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka. Speaking on the selection, New Zealand Coach Gary Stead said, “Our two main priorities have been to select and prepare a squad capable of winning what is shaping as a massive series against India, and gathering as much information as possible ahead of the World Cup. Tom and Colin are experienced players in this format and will offer quality in their respective roles,” Stead said.
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However, James Neesham, who tore the Sri Lanka bowling apart with cameos in all the three ODIs which helped New Zealand secure a 3-0 whitewash in the ODIs was not picked as he had suffered a hamstring injury. Doug Bracewell, who starred with his all-round show which helped New Zealand win all three formats against Sri Lanka, has been included in the side. The New Zealand bowling attack looks potent with the return of Boult. Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry make up a solid bowling attack.
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New Zealand have won three, lost one and drawn one series in the last one year. They whitewashed West Indies (3-0) and Pakistan (5-0) before losing the series against England (2-3). They were held to a 1-1 draw against Pakistan in the series in UAE while they whitewashed Sri Lanka 3-0 at home. The last time India toured New Zealand, they were hammered 4-0 in the five-match series with one tied match in Auckland. The first match of the five-match series begins in Napier on January 23.
Squad for first three ODIs:
Kane Williamson (captain), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
