India vs New Zealand 1st ODI Live Cricket Score Dharamsala MS Dhoni Virat Kohli

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 16 Oct 2016 08:28 PM (IST)

LIVE SCORE | INDIA vs NEW ZEALAND | 1st ODI | DHARAMSALA

FULL SCORECARD

Kane Williamson "We had to weather the storm a little bit, the first 10 overs they bowled really well and some soft dismissals. Disappointing with the bat. A little up and down with sideways movement (regarding the pitch). We lost too many wickets too early. Looked a bit worse, so some good scrapping towards the end. India were too good, very good chasing side and they showed it today. We were below par in all areas, we need to step that up. We're a tough unit, so we need to stick together and have to play our best cricket to beat India." MS Dhoni "Fantastic performance from the fast bowlers. We had no clue it would help the fast bowlers. Hardik exploited the good length, a short of a good length. Umesh is somebody who has been quite quick consistently, he has gone from fit to one of the fittest. Hardik is deceptive, you think he'd bowl 132, but he crosses 135 consistently. Both Mishra and Axar bowled well. They did go for some runs. If we did not take early wickets, it was a 280-300 wicket. Important to bat in the middle, I was in no hurry. The more deliveries I play, the better for me. At times, the toss can be very crucial in this series." Hardik Pandya is the Man of the Match, on debut "On a debut, getting the Man of the Match is special. This moment I will cherish in my life. Very happy. Good to be back, I was nervous a bit, but I bowled a lot in Australia and the domestic season. I wasn't looking to bowl fast, wanted to bowl with rhythm. On this wicket, I was focusing on a Test match length, a good length." Amit Mishra "Dhoni told me to go after the wickets, it's a good batting wicket. A good chance to prove myself. Anil bhai is a good help for me, teaching me how to bowl on flat tracks. Always talking about mental toughness." INDIA INNINGS Earlier in the day, the Kiwis were put out to bat first and were nearly brought to their knees early on by Yadav and Pandya. With the score at 65/7, they recovered enough to put up a total of 190, thanks in part to the ineffectiveness of the spinners. Surprisingly, the man responsible for their last-minute runs was Southee, who scored a quick fifty. Opener Latham, scoring 79, hung in for the entire innings, a feat only 10 batsmen have done in ODIs. Unfortunately, he couldn't find enough partners to support him and Mishra wrapped up the tail-enders. New Zealand had a below-par total to defend and knew that it wouldn't be an easy ride. They came in looking for early wickets and once Bracewell got the breakthrough with Sharma, Neesham quickly followed it up with fellow opener Rahane's scalp. However, they weren't able to push their advantage and kept conceding runs. The Black Caps managed to pick up a couple more wickets but it was a case of too little too late for the visitors. India were in complete control for nearly the entire duration of the match. The run chase pounded forward, inexorably eating into the target. Openers Sharma and Rahane got them off to a good start and Dhoni and Kohli, who brought up a finely wrought 85, put them within touching distance of the finish line. Pandey and Jadhav made valuable contributions as well to keep the scoreboard ticking throughout. Smooth sailing for India! This is the 900th ODI match for the hosts and they have won it in commanding fashion with 6 wickets and 16.5 overs to spare. 33.1 overs: SIX! Ish Sodhi to Virat Kohli. INDIA WIN BY 6 WICKETS! Flatter on off and middle, Kohli slinks down and smashes it over the head of the bowler for a maximum to seal the game and take a 1-0 lead in the 5-match ODI series.

32.4 overs: FOUR! Mitchell Santner to Kedar Jadhav. Put away! Shorter on middle, Jadhav gets on top of it and crashes it over mid-wicket for a boundary. India just three runs away.

31.3 overs: FOUR! Ish Sodhi to Kedar Jadhav. EDGED! Floated outside off, Jadhav comes forward to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and runs down to the third man fence. 31.1 overs: FOUR! Ish Sodhi to Virat Kohli. HIT AWAY! Fuller outside off, Kohli comes forward and spanks it through covers for a boundary. That was superbly done by Kohli. Over 30: India 169/4 (22 runs required from 20 overs). Kohli 70 (72b 8x4 0x6), Jadhav 0 (2b 0x4 0x6), Neesham 6-0-40-1, Santner 4-0-11-0. 29.4 overs: FOUR! Jimmy Neesham to Virat Kohli. Superbly timed! Slower one and fuller outside off, Kohli comes forward and creams it through covers. Santner again has a lot of work to do but this time he allows the ball to go through his pads. 28.4 overs: WICKET! MIX-UP AND DHONI DEPARTS! Floated on off, Dhoni comes down looking to hit it towards mid-wicket but gets a leading edge towards covers. Slight hesitation between Dhoni and Kohli but that gives Guptill enough time to return the throw to the keeper Ronchi who takes the bails off in a flash. Kohli is not happy about it. India need only 29 more runs though. MS Dhoni run out 21 (24b 1x4 1x6) 27.3 overs: DROPPED! Tim Southee to Virat Kohli. Bowls it full on off, Kohli is early into his drive and ends up playing it back to Southee. The ball comes quickly to Southee who is not quite in position to take it. 27.2 overs: FOUR! Tim Southee to Virat Kohli. Cheeky from Virat! Shorter length outside off, Kohli waits for it and waits for the ball at the last moment to glide it over the keeper for a boundary. 50-run partnership between Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. 27.1 overs: FOUR! Tim Southee to Virat Kohli. Fetch that! Shorter length outside off, Kohli pulls it hard through mid-wicket for a boundary. That was nicely controlled. 25.1 overs: FOUR! Tim Southee to MS Dhoni. Vintage MS! A touch short outside off, Dhoni stands tall and slams it through point for a boundary. That was hit like a bullet and raced away to the fence. 23.6 overs: SIX! Jimmy Neesham to MS Dhoni. Short ball outside off, Dhoni squares his shoulders and heaves at it. That ball takes a top edge and goes over fine leg and into the stands for a maximum. 23.1 overs: FOUR! Jimmy Neesham to Virat Kohli. Balance and control! Full on the pads, Kohli goes back and flicks it to mid on. Anderson tries to stop it but the ball gets past and crosses the ropes. India is in cruise control now. 20.5 overs: FOUR! Doug Bracewell to Virat Kohli. How well placed was that?! Full outside off, Kohli drives it through the covers. He has picked the gap just right and the ball goes through for a boundary. 20.4 overs: FOUR! Doug Bracewell to Virat Kohli. Unlucky for Bracewell! Full on off, Kohli drives it straight back to Bracewell, who sticks a foot out to stop it but ends up deflecting it wide of the mid on fielder for a boundary. 19.3 overs: WICKET! Short ball on middle, Pandey can't resist this one and pulls it. That was a poor shot and the ball goes straight to Kane Williamson at short mid-wicket. He takes a comfortable catch and New Zealand finally get the breakthrough they have been waiting for. That wasn't quite a convincing shot from Pandey. Manish Pandey c Williamson b Sodhi 17 (22b 1x4 0x6). Over 15: India 80/2 (111 runs required from 35 overs). Pandey 5 (8b 1x4 0x6), Kohli 16 (22b 2x4 0x6), Southee 5-0-26-0, Bracewell 7-2-33-1. 13.2 overs: FOUR! Doug Bracewell to Virat Kohli. Precision! Angled onto the pads, Kohli flicks it through mid-wicket. That was timed excellently and goes across the ropes. 12.4 overs: FOUR! Jimmy Neesham to Manish Pandey. Short ball outside off, Pandey reaches across and lofts it over the covers. The fielder jumps up to catch it but the ball goes over for a boundary. 12.1 overs: WICKET! Neesham sends Rahane back! Back of a length ball outside off, Rahane frees his arms and looks to cut it. The ball takes a slight top edge and goes to Luke Ronchi who is waiting to pouch it behind the stumps. New Zealand have struck twice in quick succession now. Ajinkya Rahane c †Ronchi b Neesham 33 (34b 4x4 2x6). 10.4 overs: FOUR! Jimmy Neesham to Virat Kohli. Well struck! Full in length, Kohli drives it through the covers for a boundary. That is some shot from Kohli to get off the mark! Over 10: India 49/1 (142 runs required from 40 overs). Kohli 0 (4b 0x4 0x6), Rahane 33 (30b 4x4 2x6), Bracewell 5-1-23-1, Neesham 1-0-3-0. 9.2 overs: WICKET! Rohit departs! Full ball on middle and off, Sharma steps forward to loft it. He misses and the ball seams in to hit him on his back pad. The fielding side appeals for lbw and the umpire raises his finger. That was plumb and Sharma walks off staring at his gloves. Possibly his bat slipped in his hand while playing the shot. Rohit Sharma lbw b Bracewell 14 (26b 1x4 1x6). 6.5 overs: FOUR! Tim Southee to Ajinkya Rahane. Full ball outside off, Rahane places it to perfection. Once more, Williamson comes running from mid off but can't stop it in time and the ball hits the fence. 5.6 overs: SIX! Doug Bracewell to Ajinkya Rahane. High and mighty! Rahane does it again! Another short ball on the stumps and Rahane punishes it with a pull that sends it flying over square leg for a big one. 5.2 overs: SIX! Doug Bracewell to Ajinkya Rahane. High and mighty! Rahane goes on the attack now! Short ball on middle and leg, Rahane flat bats it the ball goes over the boundary at fine leg for a maximum. Over 5: India 25/0 (166 runs required from 45 overs). Rohit 10 (15b 1x4 1x6), Rahane 14 (15b 3x4 0x6), Southee 3-0-16-0, Bracewell 2-0-9-0. 4.5 overs: SIX! Tim Southee to Rohit Sharma, SIX! Up and away! Short ball on middle and off, Rohit springs up and pulls it on the up. The ball rockets through the air behind square and goes over the boundary for a maximum. 3.6 overs: FOUR! Doug Bracewell to Ajinkya Rahane. Nicely struck! Shortish ball outside off, punched off the back foot through the covers for a boundary. 3.1 overs: FOUR! Doug Bracewell to Ajinkya Rahane. Excellently time! Full delivery outside off, Rahane plants his foot forward and drives it down the ground. Williamson at mid off dives to stop it but the ball slides past and travels to the boundary. 2.3 overs: FOUR! Tim Southee to Ajinkya Rahane. POWERED THROUGH! Shortish ball around off, Rahane half pulls it. That is a powerful stroke and the bat turns a bit in his hand but the ball has enough force behind it to cross the ropes at square leg. Over 1: India 4/0 (187 runs required from 49 overs). Rohit 4 (6b 1x4 0x6), Rahane 0 (0b 0x4 0x6), Southee 1-0-4-0. 0.2 over: FOUR! Tim Southee to Rohit Sharma. EDGED! Sharma gets India off the mark! Length ball outside off, Rohit plays that with very soft hands. The ball takes an outside edge and goes just past third slip for a boundary. Lucky start for India! Welcome back for the chase! 191 to win for India. The two openers Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane are out to bat for India. Tim Southee to start the bowling proceedings with three slips in place. Here we go... NEW ZEALAND INNINGS India will be relatively happy with their effort despite the late heroics from Southee who struck his maiden ODI fifty. Latham was the lone fighter for New Zealand and he carried his bat through, becoming the 10th player to do so and the first one from New Zealand. The Kiwis will feel they still a have a score to bowl to here and will hope to take new ball wickets to put pressure on India. Do join us in a short while for the chase. New Zealand have comeback well after being 65 for 7 to post this total here in Dharamsala in the first ODI of the series. The pace bowlers struck early for India with Hardik Pandya taking 3 early. The spinners were not quite effective enough and the lower order then struck some vital runs for the Kiwis. NEW ZEALAND FINISH ON 190 ALL OUT. 43.5 overs: WICKET! Amit Mishra to Ish Sodhi, OUT! That is it for the Black Caps! Googly outside off from Mishra, Sodhi stays in the crease and looks to cut that one but misses and the ball spins in, hitting him on the pads. That is an easy decision for the umpire who raises his finger. Ish Sodhi lbw b Mishra 1 (10b 0x4 0x6). 43.2 overs: SIX! Amit Mishra to Tom Latham. New Zealand has something to smile about now! Full on middle and off, Latham slog sweeps it and the ball disappears in the crowd. 43.1 overs: FOUR! Amit Mishra to Tom Latham, FOUR! Floated around off, Latham steps forward and lofts it over extra cover for a boundary. Over 42: New Zealand 179/9. Sodhi 1 (2b 0x4 0x6), Latham 68 (95b 6x4 0x6), Mishra 8-0-38-2, Patel 9-1-41-0. 41.3 overs: WICKET! Full on the stumps, Southee steps forward and looks to loft it. He doesn't get his timing right and the ball takes a top edge. Manish Pandey back-pedals, and takes the catch. That ends a brilliant batting innings by Southee. Tim Southee c Pandey b Mishra 55 (45b 6x4 3x6) Maiden ODI fifty Tim Southee! 40.6 overs: FOUR! Axar Patel to Tom Latham. Floated up outside off, Latham gets a slight top edge and the ball goes over the square leg fence for a boundary. 39.5 overs: FOUR! Umesh Yadav to Tim Southee. Back-to-back boundaries! Length ball on the pads and Southee half-pulls it again. The ball races to mid-wicket again and the fielder in the deep is powerless to stop it. 39.4 overs: SIX! Umesh Yadav to Tim Southee. Back of a length ball on leg, Southee picks it up beautifully, flicking it over mid-wicket and into the stands for a maximum. 38.2 overs: FOUR! Axar Patel to Tim Southee. Delicately done! Down the leg side, Southee plays a glancing shot and the ball goes across the fine leg boundary. 37.5 overs: SIX! Amit Mishra to Tim Southee. SMASHED! Second maximum for Southee! Full toss around off, Southee lofts that one with the turn and it arcs over long on for a maximum. 36.6 overs: SIX! Axar Patel to Tim Southee. Going, going, gone! Southee slinks down the wicket and lofts it down the ground over the head of the bowler for a 91m maximum. Superb strike. 35.4 overs: FOUR! Amit Mishra to Tim Southee. Smartly done! Southee rushes down the track again and drives it. He finds the gap in the covers and gets a boundary. Over 35: New Zealand 119/8. Southee 11 (16b 2x4 0x6), Latham 56 (84b 5x4 0x6), Bumrah 7-0-29-0, Mishra 5-0-16-1. 34.6 overs: FOUR! Jasprit Bumrah to Tim Southee. PULLED! Short ball on off, Southee stands tall and pulls it through mid-wicket and the ball races away for another boundary. 34.5 overs: FOUR! Jasprit Bumrah to Tim Southee. Well played! Short ball outside off, punched off the back foot through the covers for a boundary. 34.2 overs: DROPPED! Jasprit Bumrah to Tim Southee. Short ball on the stumps, Southee looks to pull it and the ball takes a top edge. It arcs over to fine leg and Umesh Yadav has more than enough time to get under it but the ball passes through his hands. One run added to the total. Missed opportunity for India and Bumrah does not look happy. Over 32: New Zealand 107/8. Southee 1 (1b 0x4 0x6), Latham 54 (81b 5x4 0x6), Mishra 4-0-14-1, Patel 5-0-19-0. 31.5 overs: WICKET! New Zealand have lost their eighth wicket. 50th ODI wicket for Amit Mishra! Tossed up on middle, Bracewell looks to flick it but doesn't time it right. The ball is lobbed to mid-wicket and Ajinkya Rahane waiting there takes a comfortable catch. Mishra is confident in his appeal but the umpires aren't so sure and they send it upstairs. The replays show that it is a fair delivery and that it was not a ball. Another one falls for NZ. Doug Bracewell c Rahane b Mishra 15 (46b 0x4 0x6). Over 30: New Zealand 102/7. Latham 51 (78b 5x4 0x6), Bracewell 14 (38b 0x4 0x6), Mishra 3-0-12-0, Patel 4-0-16-0. 5th ODI fifty for Tom Latham. 27.2 overs: FOUR! Amit Mishra to Tom Latham. PUNCHED! Short ball outside off, Latham waits late and punches it off the back foot through the covers for a boundary. Over 20: New Zealand 68/7. Bracewell 2 (6b), Latham 31 (50b 4x4), Bumrah 6-0-19-0, Jadhav 2-0-3-2. 18.4 overs: WICKET! Kedar Jadhav to Mitchell Santner. Two in two balls for Kedar! Short outside off, Santner goes back to cut but only manages to get an outside edge through to Dhoni. The Indians are jubilant. This is a superb move from Dhoni. One can say that in hindsight. Mitchell Santner c Dhoni b Jadhav 0 (1b 0x4 0x6). 18.3 overs: WICKET! Kedar Jadhav to Jimmy Neesham. That is as soft as it gets! Maiden ODI wicket for Kedar Jadhav! This one is nicely tossed up delivery on off, Neesham lunges forward and just ends up chipping it back to the bowler. Kedar cannot believe his luck here. India right on top. James Neesham c & b Jadhav 10 (25b 1x4 0x6). Over 15: New Zealand 55/5. Latham 28 (41b 4x4 0x6), Neesham 3 (11b 0x4 0x6), Pandya 7-0-31-3, Bumrah 3-0-10-0. Over 14: New Zealand 53/5. Latham 27 (40b 4x4 0x6), Neesham 2 (6b 0x4 0x6), Bumrah 3-0-10-0, Pandya 6-0-29-3. Over 13: New Zealand 49/5. Latham 25 (38b 4x4 0x6), Neesham 1 (2b 0x4 0x6), Pandya 6-0-29-3, Bumrah 2-0-6-0. 12.1 overs: WICKET! Hardik Pandya to Luke Ronchi. EASY AS YOU LIKE! Fuller length on off, Ronchi plays it from his crease. He checks his shot at the last moment but the damage as been done and Umesh takes a simple catch at mid on. Ronchi is disappointed but has to walk back. New Zealand in deep trouble. Luke Ronchi c Yadav b Pandya 0 (3b 0x4 0x6). Over 12: New Zealand 48/4. Latham 25 (35b 4x4 0x6), Ronchi 0 (2b 0x4 0x6), Bumrah 2-0-6-0, Pandya 5-0-28-2. 11.3 overs: FOUR! Jasprit Bumrah to Tom Latham On a length on off, Latham pushes it down the ground coming forward. The ball is timed superbly for a boundary. Over 11: New Zealand 43/4. Ronchi 0 (2b 0x4 0x6), Latham 21 (29b 3x4 0x6), Pandya 5-0-28-2, Bumrah 1-0-1-0. 10.4 overs: WICKET! Umesh takes a stunner! Fuller outside off, Anderson stays in his crease and looks to smash it over mid off. He does not connect that well. Umesh from mid off goes to his right and leaps to take a stunner. That was superbly held. New Zealand in trouble at 43/4. Corey Anderson c Yadav b Pandya 4 (14b 1x4 0x6). Over 10: New Zealand 42/3. Latham 20 (27b 3x4 0x6), Anderson 4 (12b 1x4 0x6), Bumrah 1-0-1-0, Yadav 5-0-14-2. Over 9: New Zealand 41/3. Anderson 4 (12b 1x4 0x6), Latham 19 (21b 3x4 0x6), Yadav 5-0-14-2, Pandya 4-0-27-1. 8.4 overs: FOUR! Umesh Yadav to Corey Anderson. Finally Corey connects! Short again outside off, Corey gets on top of it and crashes it wide of covers for a boundary. Over 8: New Zealand 36/3. Anderson 0 (7b 0x4 0x6), Latham 18 (20b 3x4 0x6), Pandya 4-0-27-1, Yadav 4-0-9-2. Over 7: New Zealand 35/3. Anderson 0 (5b 0x4 0x6), Latham 17 (16b 3x4 0x6), Yadav 4-0-9-2, Pandya 3-0-26-1. 6.1 overs: WICKET! Umesh strikes again! Hurls it on a good length just outside off, Taylot has to play at it and gets an outside edge that flies through to the keeper for a simple catch. Umesh and co. appeal but Taylor is walking. This is a perfect start for India! Ross Taylor c Dhoni b Yadav 0 (1b 0x4 0x6). Over 6: New Zealand 33/2. Latham 17 (16b 3x4 0x6), Taylor 0 (0b 0x4 0x6), Pandya 3-0-26-1, Yadav 3-0-7-1. 5.2 overs: FOUR! Hardik Pandya to Tom Latham, SHOT! Fuller outside off, Latham comes forward and caresses it through covers for a boundary. That was superbly hit. Over 5: New Zealand 29/2. Latham 13 (10b 2x4 0x6), Yadav 3-0-7-1, Pandya 2-0-22-1. 4.6 overs: WICKET! Umesh strikes! This is a huge wicket for India as the Kiwi skipper departs! Fullish ball outside off, Kane frees his arms and slashes at it. The ball goes off the top edge of the bat and goes to Amit Mishra at backward point who takes a comfortable reverse-cupped catch. New Zealand have lost their second wicket. Kane Williamson c Mishra b Yadav 3 (9b 0x4 0x6). Over 4: New Zealand 27/1. Latham 12 (9b 2x4 0x6), Williamson 2 (4b 0x4 0x6), Pandya 2-0-22-1, Yadav 2-0-5-0. 3.6 overs: FOUR! Hardik Pandya to Tom Latham. Superb shot! Full outside off, Latham gets nicely forward and creams this one through covers for a boundary. Good shot to end the over. 3.5 overs: FOUR! Hardik Pandya to Tom Latham. Poor effort! Fuller and swinging, clipped through backward square leg off the inside edge from Latham. Umesh comes across but cannot stop that one and a boundary results. Over 3: New Zealand 18/1. Latham 4 (6b 0x4 0x6), Williamson 1 (1b 0x4 0x6), Yadav 2-0-5-0, Pandya 1-0-13-1. Over 2: New Zealand 14/1. 1.6 overs: WICKET! Hardik Pandya to Martin Guptill, Maiden ODI wicket for Hardik Pandya! On a length outside off, comes in, Guptill pushes at it from his crease. The ball takes the outside edge and flies to Rohit Sharma at second slip. Rohit accepts the catch and Hardik Pandya takes off. Martin Guptill c Sharma b Pandya 12 (11b 3x4 0x6). 1.5 overs: FOUR! Hardik Pandya to Martin Guptill, Runs are flowing! Short outside off, Guptill slaps it through backward point for a boundary. That was well hit by Guptill. 1.3 overs: FOUR! Hardik Pandya to Martin Guptill, NOT IN CONTROL! On a fuller length outside off, Guptill looks to play at first but then lets it go. The ball goes off the bottom edge and runs past second slip for a boundary. 1.2 overs: FOUR! Hardik Pandya to Martin Guptill, EDGED! Full and swinging outside off, Guptill goes for the drive but gets an outside edge through the vacant gully region for a boundary. Hardik Pandya to bowl from the other end. Over 1: New Zealand 1/0. Martin Guptill 0 (6), Tom Latham 0 (0). Game time! The players are out in the middle. Martin Guptill and Tom Latham are out to open. Umesh Yadav to run in first up... Time for the national anthems. PLAYING XIs India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (c), Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, Jimmy Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Doug Bracewell. TOSS: India won the toss and opted to bowl first against New Zealand. Stats and Trivia

This match against New Zealand in Dharamsala will be India's 900th ODI.
New Zealand have never won a bilateral ODI series in India.
With 666 runs from 18 matches, Ross Taylor has the highest run aggregate among active players in matches played between India and New Zealand.

Squads India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain & wk), Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, Suresh Raina, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Amit Mishra, Jasprit Bumrah, Dhawal Kulkarni, Umesh Yadav, Mandeep Singh, Kedar Jadhav. New Zealand: Kane Williamson (Captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Anton Devcich, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi (wk), Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling (wk).

PREVIEW Despite completing a 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand in the Test rubber, India will be wary of the visitors' prowess in the shorter format when both the teams face off in the first of the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series here on Sunday. With the conditions at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium favouring the pacers, New Zealand will bank on their recent ODI performance -- winning four of their last five bilateral competitions, including a recent series win over Australia -- to give a tough fight to the hosts. Moreover, Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson has a better squad at his disposal, with the return of pacer Tim Southee and all-rounder Corey Anderson, making them a force to reckon with. Southee was ruled out with a late injury while Anderson's arrival would bolster their misfiring middle-order. However, Williamson will need runs from two of his most experienced batsmen -- Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill -- who have failed to click so far on this tour. Guptill, who scored just 159 runs from six innings, will not let those failures affect him in the ODIs. The opener has an average of 43.25 in ODIs with a strike-rate of 86.08, and is one of only five people in world cricket to have scored a double century in 50 overs. Having said that, New Zealand's best chance of scripting history -- they have never won a bilateral ODI series in India -- will depend heavily on Williamson. The skipper needs to provide stability to the team and score runs, and also ensure the likes of Anderson and James Neesham in the lower order can have a go at scoring quick runs. Also with both premier spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja rested for the ODIs, the Kiwis will heave a sigh of relief when they take the field in the black jersey. Ashwin and Jadeja tormented the New Zealanders with the Chennai off-spinner emerging the highest wicket-taker of the Test series with 27 scalps. On the other hand, despite being the favourites, India have a comparatively untested side for the first three ODIs. Apart from Ashwin and Jadeja, pacer Mohammed Shami has also been rested. Injuries to Lokesh Rahul, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Shikhar Dhawan have ruled the trio out, creating chances for promising players like Mandeep Singh, Manish Pandey, Dhawal Kulkarni and Axar Patel -- all of them part of the squad that toured Zimbabwe in India's last 50-over cricket assignment. Senior batsman Suresh Raina has also been recalled to the squad, but he will miss the first ODI due to viral fever. With Manish performing in India A's tour of Australia and the aggressive Hardik Pandya in the side, Dhoni can afford to come up the order and bat with Kohli in the middle overs besides pushing Ajinkya Rahane to open with Rohit Sharma. Maharashtra keeper-batsman Kedar Jadhav may well get a look-in as a pure batsman with Dhoni donning the big gloves. The Dharamsala pitch generally assists pacemen and that could give Dhawal Kulkarni a place in the playing XI alongside Jasprit Bumrah, while Axar Patel, Amit Mishra and Umesh Yadav are the likely options in the bowling department. The Dharamsala ODI will be followed by matches in Delhi (October 20), Mohali (October 23), Ranchi (October 26) and Visakhapatnam (October 29). All five are day-and-night encounters.

Published at : 16 Oct 2016 12:08 PM (IST)

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