New Zealand vs India 2nd ODI, Auckland: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

After being whitewashed 0-5 in the T20Is, New Zealand turned things around with a 4-wicket win in the first ODI of the 3-match series, at Seddon Park, Hamilton. India put up 347/4, but even that seemed too low a total as New Zealand romped home with 11 balls to spare.

To be fair, India did an excellent job with bat despite missing both Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal, both debutants, added 50 in 48 balls for the opening stand, while Virat Kohli (51), Shreyas Iyer (103), KL Rahul (88* in 64), and Kedar Jadhav (26* in 15) all got runs.

But New Zealand were up to the challenge despite the absence of Kane Williamson. Henry Nicholls scored 78, but the real charge came from Ross Taylor (109* in 84) and Tom Latham (69 in 48), who added 138 runs in 79 balls for the fourth wicket.

In an attempt to bowl outside off to prevent big hits on a small ground, bowlers of both sides overdid a bit, conceding 43 wides between them. Jasprit Bumrah gave away 9 of these and Mohammed Shami 6, which is something they will need to address.

India may consider bringing leaving out Shardul Thakur for Navdeep Saini, who was named Player of the Series against Australia, or Yuzvendra Chahal, whose guile they missed sorely in the first match. New Zealand, too, need to address the wide problem as well; they have had a decent outing otherwise.

Despite the defeat, India are slight favourites in the second match.

Head to head

India have won 55 out of 107 matches the teams have faced in. New Zealand have won 47.

Key players

Ross Taylor (New Zealand): Not for the first time did Taylor demonstrate why is New Zealand’s most feared batsman in the format. He made the most of the small mid-wicket boundaries, lofting fast bowlers and spinners with equal ease. He will try to repeat exactly that.

Jasprit Bumrah (India): He might have had a rare off day, but Bumrah’s next outstanding spell is never too far away. The spearhead of Indian attack has to be at his best if India are to stay alive in the series.

Likely XIs

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (c & wk), Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Hamish Bennett.

India: Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

Prediction

India to pull one back.