New Zealand have big absentees in ODI XI
- India are one of the strongest ODI teams at home
- New Zealand’s spin game to be tested
India come off a 3-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka and are ready to take on New Zealand as they prepare for the home World Cup later this year. They appear strong in all departments and are naturally favourites to win this clash. India are favourites to win with odds of 1.40
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New Zealand will be without regular skipper Kane Williamson and backup skipper Tim Southee, leaving them short on experience for this big clash. They will bank on the spin attack to test India. They have odds of 2.92 to win the first match.
India’s brilliant home record in ODIs
India have an extraordinary home record in ODIs, winning 22 of the 25 bilateral series in the country since the start of 2015. In a World Cup year, with their top players in really good form, India remain a formidable challenge for a non-Asian team to conquer in these conditions.
Our pick: India have a dominant team with in-form players and conditions backing them. Back India at 1.40 to win this one!
New Zealand will bank on Tom Latham to counter the Indian spinners, but without Williamson still lack enough experience in the middle-order to actually push India.
Keep an eye on…
Michael Bracewell had a good series against Pakistan recently and will be quite useful in these conditions. He could also be a vital cog in the batting line-up with his all-round skills.
Virat Kohli is back in red-hot form, having smashed three hundreds in his last 4 ODIs. The Indian No.3 is a strong favourite to resume his good form against a less-experienced bowling attack.