Riding high on confidence, the Indian team led by Virat Kohli will look to maintain their winning run when they take on hosts New Zealand in the first contest of the five-match ODI series. The Men in Blue are brimming with high spirit after a convincing series win, both in Tests and ODI, against Australia in their own backyard. However, the tourists have won only 10 out of 35 ODIs against the Kiwis in their home turf, which also includes a 0-4 thrashing in 2014. New Zealand have been in a sublime form too, whitewashing Sri Lanka at home. Overall, it will be a tight contest between the world number two and three-ranked sides. All You Need To Know About The Match: Date: January 23 (Wednesday) Time: 7:30 AM IST; 3:00 PM Local Venue: McLean Park, Napier TV Guide: Star Sports Network Live Streaming: Horstar Likely XIs India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Shubman Gill/Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi Squads India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ambati Rayudu, Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, K. Khaleel Ahmed New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Henry Nicholls, Doug Bracewell, Matt Henry For in-depth, objective and more importantly balanced journalism, Click here to subscribe to Outlook Magazine<doc-sep>Skipper Virat Kohli and Co. will expect New Zealand to be a much bigger challenge as compared to Australia since the home team are currently in rich vein of form. New Zealand recently blanked Sri Lanka at home, winning the Test and ODI series comfortably. India will have to be a much better side overall, if they have any chance of beating the Kiwis in their own backyard. Let's take a look at the full Indian team for the India vs New Zealand ODI series. (Also Read: New Zealand team for India vs New Zealand ODI series 2019) The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) announced the team for the ODI series against New Zealand on December 24, last year. Virat Kohli will lead the side while Rohit Sharma is the vice captain of the team. Both the players have been in tremendous form and will look to continue the momentum in New Zealand. Both Kohli and Sharma scored centuries in the ODI series and will be leading India's batting attack against the fierce New Zealand pacers. Accompanying Sharma is Shikhar Dhawan who is currently stuck in a lean run of form. Dhawan failed to really get off in the tour of Australia and will be keen to bounce back in the ODI series. Ambati Rayudu, who was picked in the first two ODIs against Australia, failed to create any impact and was replaced by Kedar Jadhav in the third ODI. However, he may be given another shot as he too is included in the squad. With Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul still omitted from the squad, it will be a good opportunity for Dinesh Karthik and Jadhav to cement their position in the team. (Also Read: India vs New Zealand 2019: Full schedule, timing, venue and how to watch India's tour of New Zealand live ) As for the bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal are India's spinners heading into New Zealand for the ODI series. While Kuldeep was given the nod ahead of Chahal, the latter is likely to start in the first ODI after picking up six wickets in the third ODI. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead India's pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah with Mohammed Shami as the second bowler. India will have to decide between Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj and Vijay Shankar for the spot of the third bowler. India's squad for ODIs vs New Zealand: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Shami NOW READ New Zealand team for India vs New Zealand ODI series 2019: Here's the full list of players in the New Zealand squad for ODIs against India India vs New Zealand 2019: Full schedule, timing, venue and how to watch India's tour of New Zealand live Big Bash League 2018-19: Full Squad, format and how to watch BBL 2018-19 > More on Sports<doc-sep>On a high after a defining tour of Australia, the Virat Kohli-led Indian team faces a trickier challenge when it locks horns with an ever-so-sprightly New Zealand in a five-match ODI series starting Wednesday. The Indian team, which has shifted its focus entirely on World Cup preparations, is still searching for the right middle-order combination despite their first-ever bilateral ODI series win on Australian soil. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's hat-trick of half-centuries has brought joy to the dressing room but the smaller grounds in New Zealand against a better seam attack comprising the wily Trent Boult, the talented Lockie Ferguson and the relentless Tim Southee will be a different test altogether for the 'Men In Blue'. New Zealand in their own backyard have always been a force to reckon with and the touring Indian teams over the years will testify that, having won only 10 out of the 35 ODIs, including a 0-4 drubbing during the last series in 2014. The first match at McLean Park, however, will be played in sultry conditions of around 30 degrees. India vs New Zealand: Full schedule, fixtures, venues, squads, time in India, live streaming and where to watch Skipper Kohli is well aware that the Black Caps, with some quality players in their ranks, can be very competitive. "The fact they are No 3 in the world speaks about their consistency over the last couple of years. We played them in India and got beaten in Mumbai, and all the games were competitive and we felt they had a really good balance." "They have that energy and that buzz about them and they play their cricket in the right way which is something we always appreciate," Kohli said at the pre-series media conference. For the Indian team, some of the issues that need to be addressed are Shikhar Dhawan's form, Dhoni's batting position and how to get the balance right till all-rounder Hardik Pandya comes back from suspension. Left-handed Dhawan's position at the top of the order is under no imminent threat but a highest score of 35 in the last nine games doesn't make a pretty picture. That Rishabh Pant has been instructed by the team management to face the new ball against England Lions in a home series is an indicator that they are trying to get back-up options ready. An immensely talented Shubman Gill has been selected as a reserve opener but it is unlikely that Dhawan will be dropped after a few failures. The No.4 position is another area of concern for India as Ambati Rayudu, after an inexplicable retirement from first-class cricket, looked completely out of sorts and is unlikely to regain his place in the side. Dhoni did well as a No.4 in the final ODI against Australia but Kohli is likely to use him more as a floater depending on match situations. With the Napier ODI promising to be a high-scoring affair as per New Zealand coach David Stead, a Dinesh Karthik or Kedar Jadhav could be promoted up the order. In the bowling department, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami will expect a bit more support in case the skipper plays a young third seamer in either Mohammed Siraj or Khaleel Ahmed. The New Zealand top-order also has a formidable look with one of the world's best batsmen in skipper Kane Williamson and the ever-dangerous Ross Taylor, who is second only to Kohli in terms of batting averages (92) in 2018, holding forte. "We saw in the last series (vs Sri Lanka) we want to execute a few things better, certainly in the field we want to step up and get back to our old ways which is that real attitude in the park," Williamson said. Teams India: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar, Shubman Gill, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ravindra Jadeja. New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Colin de Grandhomme, Trent Boult, Henry Nicholls, Doug Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Colin Munro, Ish Sodhi, Micthell Santner, Tim Southee. Match Starts at 7:30 am.<doc-sep>
Yuzvendra Chahal (India) | Forming one-half of India’s ‘Spin-Twins’, Chahal along with Kuldeep Yadav have displayed their prowess to choke oppositions in the middle overs while also picking up timely wickets. Despite the short square boundaries in New Zealand, Chahal proved to be a handful to the Kiwis who found it difficult to cope with his variations. Stats | Matches: 5 | Wickets: 9 | Best Bowling: 3/41| Average: 24.33 | Economy rate: 5.34 (Image: AP) Moneycontrol News After their resounding success in Australia, the Men-in-Blue will visit New Zealand for a five-match ODI series and three-match T20I series. The ODI series begins on January 23 at Napier and promises to be a thrilling affair. It pits the second ranked team in the world (India) against the No.3 ranked team. In Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dahwan, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson and Martin Guptil the series features six of the top 15 ODI batsmen. In bowling the spectators will be treated by the exploits of Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Trent Boult. With Steve Smith out of the picture, the series will see Kohli v Kane narrative of being the best batsman of modern era take further shape. Form Guide The two teams are enjoying similar sets of fortune in ODIs. While, India have thumped West Indies and Australia in its past two ODI assignments, the Blackcaps have blanked Pakistan and Sri Lanka. New Zealand: W-W-W-W-W India: W-W-L-W-W India: Virat Kohli(c), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, K Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, Shubman Gill New Zealand: (1st three ODIs) Kane Williamson(c), 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 Possible XI: India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli (capt), MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar/ Ravindra Jadeja, Dinesh Karthik, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Khaleel Ahmed New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (capt), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme/Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson/Doug Bracewell, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi Players to watch out for Shubman Gill (India) All eyes will be on the 19-year-old Shubman Gill. The prodigious talent has been rewarded for his batting exploits in domestic cricket. Given Dhawan’s poor run of form, Gill is likely to debut for India. Ross Taylor (New Zealand) The Kiwi middle-order batsman is ranked No.2 in the world behind Kohli and Rohit Sharma. In the 12 innings leading up to this India series, Taylor has been dismissed for less than 50 only twice. 137, 90, 54, 86*, 80, 181* - so read his six most-recent scores. Add to the fact that he will be playing on his local ground only makes things a little difficult for India. Betting Odds (bet365) India: 8/13 New Zealand: 13/10 Other popular bets can be checked on Oddschecker Predications With small grounds and batting talent on display expect a run fest. On four occasions in the three-match ODI series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka the team total crossed 300. In such a scenario, the team boasting a better bowling attack should come out on top. India should narrowly clinch the series. Where to watch The match is a day-night encounter. It begins 7.30 AM IST. The match will be broadcast live on StarSports network and on OTT platform Hotstar