New Zealand have a fair chance against India in ODIs

Zee Media Bureau/Chaitan Papnai

Napier: India is all set to kick-off their new year campaign against the Black Caps from Sunday. India is schedule to play five-match ODI series in New Zealand, followed by two-match Test series. If we compare both the teams in terms of their rankings then India is placed at the top in the ICC ODI rankings, whereas the hosts are sitting far below, at 8th position. Indian team has performed outstandingly well last year in the ODIs, where they won six series out of the seven they played. Indian team is undoubtedly strong on papers as well, if compared with their counterparts. But a few factors might give the host team an advantage over the tourists, at least in the ODI series. Three star performers of the Indian team, who had played exceptionally well when India visited this part of the world last time in 2009-- Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag – are not part of this tour. Where Tendulkar has retired, the other two stalwarts have been discarded from the team. Absence of these experienced campaigners is certainly a sign of relief for NZ. While playing at home Black Caps have maintained a good track record. And home advantage might give them an edge over India. Apart from that NZ have players like Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor and Kyle Mills who are capable of winning matches on their own and can give India a run for their money. At last, a poor last series against South Africa must have shaken up the confidence of a few Indian batsmen and it might give New Zealand seamers a chance to build some pressure on them early on in the series to take the lead first up. So, one can say that the hosts too have a fair chance to win the series against the world champions and the top ranked team.