New Zealand will be looking to salvage some pride after a T20 whitewash and more super over dramas.
India meanwhile have global domination on their minds as they try to catch up to number one ranked England in the format and achieve some revenge for their World Cup semifinal defeat to the Black Caps.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
First ODI | Wednesday 5 February 2020 | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 04:00
To Win
New Zealand 33/20
Tie 35/1
India 47/100
New Zealand
The awkward in between format of ODI cricket, sees the likes of Henry Nicholls and Tom Latham summoned to the Black Caps squad showing there is still a place for less explosive batsmen in the white-ball arena.
New Zealand have a very solid top four with Latham and Martin Guptill likely to open followed by skipper Kane Williamson and veteran Ross Taylor.
The bowling unit still has something of a bits and pieces look to it with Trent Boult still out injured. The Black Caps have put their faith in medium pacers again. Kyle Jamieson is in line to debut for the hosts but there is plenty of competition for places.
Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi once again provide the Black Caps with slow-bowling options.
India
With Shikhar Dhawan ruled out of the series there is an opportunity for young batting prodigy Prithvi Shaw to come into the side, although India could deploy Lokesh Rahul as opening partner to Rohit Sharma.
India will want to win the three-match series but there is little on the line except perhaps places in the ODI plans for the future.
The series will be important for Manish Pandey and Shreyas Iyer neither of whom have managed to establish themselves internationally despite their undoubted talent.
The bowling attack has the same look to it as the T20I side except that Washington Sundar is left out in favour of batting allrounder Kedar Jadhav.
With no Hardik Pandya to call on Shivam Dube gets another opportunity to impress while Ravindra Jadeja inches his way towards being a three-format stalwart for India thanks to his great utility.
Verdict: India 47/100
India will take some stopping.
