Can New Zealand challenge India's impressive home record?

On the back of their biggest-ever ODI win and with only a two-day turnaround, India will restart their 2023 World Series preparations in Hyderabad against world no. 1 New Zealand in the first of a three-ODI series beginning Wednesday (January 18).

India's batting is very stable, as seen by their 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka, and any alterations to their first-choice order for this series in particular are only temporary. This, along with Jasprit Bumrah's postponed return to white-ball cricket - a cautious move made at the start of the domestic season - will allow for some more experimentation to test the bench strength as India looks to firm up their roster for the marquee event they're hosting in October-November. 

KL Rahul's absence due to family obligations, along with a last-minute injury report on Shreyas Iyer, would allow the Indian management to include both Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan in the playing XI, albeit the 'keeper will most likely be playing in the middle-order. Uncapped Rajat Patidar, albeit designated Iyer's replacement in the team for the ODIs, is unlikely to break into the playing XI directly.

Arshdeep Singh has been dropped in favour of Shardul Thakur, who was previously overlooked for the Sri Lanka series, while Axar Patel's absence has allowed Shahbaz Ahmed to earn a comeback after last appearing on the Bangladesh trip last year. 

Washington Sundar, who may give a useful match-up against New Zealand's plethora of left-handed batters, may edge him out for that slot.

Meanwhile, New Zealand arrives on the opposite side of the border fresh off a 2-1 come-from-behind series triumph in Pakistan, and will be looking to build on their success in subcontinental conditions.

Considering their packed away itinerary to open the World Series year, the visitors have also considered the players' workload. Kane Williamson and Tim Southee, New Zealand's two senior-most players, have been rested for the whole six white-ball games. Williamson was New Zealand's best run-scorer in their last ODI, with 164 runs at an average of 54.67 while Southee was amongst the leading wicket takers in the three match series. Despite the absence of their key players, NZ still have plenty of firepower in their squad to strife any opposition. Devon Conway who was the chief architect of NZ’s authoritative 2-1 win against the Shaheens will play an integral role. Glen Philipps will be the other batter to keep a keen eye on. He is coming on the back of an unbeaten 63 in the series decider in Karachi last week. 

When: Wednesday, January 18 at 1:30 PM IST

Where: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad

What to expect: There will be clear blue skies with no risk of rain. 

Team News

India 

There has been no update on Yuzvendra Chahal's shoulder injury he sustained while diving in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, which kept him out of the following two games. Axar's absence will allow India to experiment with Washington Sundar in the No.7 spot for a prolonged length of time. Shardul Thakur, who picked up vital middle-overs wickets but bowled at an economy rate of more than 6.8 in both games against Sri Lanka and was rested for the third, may get a chance at some stage in the series. On the eve of the game, Rohit announced that Ishan Kishan will bat in the middle order.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Umran Malik/Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal/Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj

New Zealand

In the playing XI from their previous game, Henry Nicholls might be the front-runner to replace Williamson, while in the bowling department, it's a toss-up between returning medium-pace allrounder Dough Bracewell and Blair Tickner. All three last played for New Zealand between April and July of 2022.

Playing XI: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (C, wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner/Dough Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson