NZ vs IND 1st ODI: Three players to watch

After a thumping win in both formats in Australia, a confident Team India has landed in New Zealand for their next assignment. The Kiwis are a force to reckon with in their backyard and with some of their players in prime form, Kohli and Co. will know that the New Zealand series might be more difficult than the Australia series.

Hence Team India would be hoping that the big guns come good in the series opener and the team will be banking on these three players-

#3. Shikhar Dhawan

Dropped in Test format, a mediocre performance in the last ODI series and suddenly, one of India’s Top three finds himself under the scanner.

Ofcourse his white ball credentials are well-established and he will have team’s backing but with the World Cup approaching, Dhawan needs some runs from his bat.

The shorter boundaries and flat surfaces will suit his style of play but does he have a plan to counter the swing?

No shortcuts to hardwork! Only hardwork can make success look easy.#success #hardwork #mehnat #noshortcuts #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/rrBqA4bTCh

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) January 21, 2019

#2. Virat Kohli

There is no way the list is complete without the name of Kohli. He scored a hundred, almost scored a fifty in another innings, and in total in three innings scored more than 150 runs against Australia. But such is the benchmark set by Kohli, that it seems he under performed in Australia.

Its a fact now that Kohli is on the way of becoming the greatest ODI batsman ever and here is his next challenge, score runs in New Zealand against a quality pace attack.

A smile is the best way to unwind. ? pic.twitter.com/w8RoT6udd3

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 21, 2019

#1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar made a strong comeback in the ODI series against Australia and proved that he can create mayhem with the new ball and can derail the opposition in the death overs.

His job will be the same in New Zealand as well but with shorter boundaries he will have a litmus test for sure.