India took a 1-0 lead in the IND vs NZ three-match ODI series with a four-wicket victory in the first ODI last Sunday in Vadodara.
The hosts escaped a late scare by the Kiwi bowlers through a punchy knock from Harshit Rana and a calm finish from KL Rahul after Virat Kohli’s 93 had set India rolling in the chase.
On a good pitch at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, India restricted New Zealand to 300/8 despite a mammoth opening stand of 117 runs between Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls, both of whom hit fifties. Daryl Mitchell top-scored for the visitors with 84.
In the chase, India got a 39-run steady start before Rohit Sharma was dismissed playing an expansive stroke. Shubman Gill hit a fifty on his return from an injury, and Shreyas Iyer, also returning from an injury-forced absence, whacked 49, while at the other end, Kohli creamed another match-winning hand in a run chase, though he fell seven runs short of a century this time.
The second ODI will be played in Vadodara’s nearby city, Rajkot, on Wednesday. India are set to make at least one forced change and could even make two adjustments to their side.
IND vs NZ: Two Changes India Are Likely To Make For 2nd ODI
Washington Sundar Out, Nitish Kumar Reddy/Ayush Badoni In
Off-spinning all-rounder Washington Sundar sustained a lower rib injury during the India vs New Zealand 1st ODI and was consequently ruled out of the rest of the series.
The BCCI has handed Ayush Badoni his maiden India call-up, while Nitish Kumar Reddy is already part of the squad. One of these two is all but certain to replace Sundar in the line-up. The decision will likely depend on the pitch in Rajkot, which is a good surface for batting as it was in Vadodara, but could slow down in the evening.
Badoni bats in the middle and lower-middle order for Delhi in domestic cricket and for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, and he can also contribute a few overs of spin bowling. These characteristics—not to forget head coach Gautam Gambhir has previously overseen Badoni’s rise at LSG in the IPL—prompted the BCCI to rope in Badoni as Sundar’s replacement.
Depending on the Indian team management’s thoughts on the pitch in Rajkot—whether Sundar should be replaced with a seam-bowling all-rounder or a spin-bowling all-rounder—a decision will be taken between Reddy and Badoni, who could make his ODI debut in the 2nd ODI.
Prasidh Krishna Out, Arshdeep Singh In
It was a shocker to many fans that Arshdeep Singh was benched in the IND vs NZ 1st ODI. Against South Africa in the ODI series, Arshdeep was the most economical bowler across both teams, and in two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, the left-arm pacer has picked up seven wickets at an average of only 8.5.
Harshit lived up to his credentials at No. 8 by scoring some vital runs. Prasidh Krishna, who also did well against South Africa in patches, though he remains a run-leaking bowler. In the India vs New Zealand 1st ODI, Prasidh conceded 60 runs in nine overs.
It’s possible that India could replace Krishna with Arshdeep in the second ODI in Rajkot. Arshdeep will then take the new ball, and that would mean Harshit can be used a lot more in the middle overs, where his hit-the-deck trait can be more effective than while bowling with the new ball.
FAQs:
India vs New Zealand: When and where is the second ODI?
The second ODI between India and New Zealand is scheduled for January 14, Wednesday, at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot.
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