India might have hoped for stiffer competition from Sri Lanka towards the end of the tour. New Zealand arrive hardened by their visits to Pakistan.
India vs New Zealand | 18 January 2023 | Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad | 10:00
To Win Match
India | Tie 25/1 | New Zealand *betting tba
India ended up cantering home in a one-sided final ODI against Sri Lanka that only underlined vast differences between the sides.
Virat Kohli’s return to form will give India a huge advantage in the series as they are out to go all the way in 2023.
The ground is a relatively high scoring one although the results have been evenly split between sides chasing or defending targets.
India and New Zealand will meet for the third time at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, where the two earlier met in Test matches at the ground back in 2010 and 2012.
New Zealand’s faltering top order should be happy to arrive a venue that has traditionally favoured the batters.
Tom Latham can crack on in this format and will be a middle-order dangerman.
The weather forecast brings with it more peril for the tourists in the form of extreme heat.
New Zealand are without their record scorer against India after Ross Taylor’s retirement.
Verdict: India
India hold the clear edge here and will be emboldened by their demolition of a Sri Lankan side far more suited to Sub-Continent conditions.
