India are buoyant, New Zealand deflated as we head into the second ODI of the series on Thursday. It is up to the Kiwis to change the momentum and bring back parity, with India looking in dominant mood as the tour moves to the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi.
After triumphing in impressive fashion in the Test series, India took that confidence into the one-day internationals as well, easing to victory in the first match in Dharamsala.
It was an impressive all-round performance from the home team, with the bowling, in particular, catching the eye. Hardik Pandya, on his ODI debut, won the man of the match award, and it must be heartening for MS Dhoni and Anil Kumble to see the youngsters putting their hands up.
The confirmed lineups of both teams.
Pandya was given the big responsibility of using the new ball, at the expense of the ever-impressive Jasprit Bumrah, and the all-rounder did not disappoint, putting in a brilliant spell of bowling to trigger what would be a major New Zealand collapse.
India will know the likelihood of that happening again is pretty slim, but what they will want from their bowlers is consistency – consistency in their lines, consistency in their lengths and consistency in sticking to the pre-match plans.
If the bowlers can do that, you feel, with the batting strength that India possess, led by the near-unstoppable ODI powers of Virat Kohli, the home team will be difficult to beat.
New Zealand need to find a way to pile the pressure back on India, ask them the probing questions and see if they have the wherewithal to respond in the right manner. If they don't do that, there is little doubt that the Kiwis will end up staring at a 0-2 hole in this series.
New Zealand have the talent to pose India plenty of problems; it is just about sustaining the quality for the entirety of the game. Too many times on this tour, the New Zealand flame has been extinguished by India just when it looked like burning bright.
That trend needs to end if the Kiwis are to pick up their first win and make this series a contest, something the away side will be well aware of.
India are in the driver's seat at the moment – a Test series already in the bag, the first ODI comprehensively won and all the players looking like they are just waiting for the opportunity to put in a match-winning performance.
Where to Watch Live
India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI is scheduled for a 1.30pm IST (9pm NZT, 9am BST, 4am ET) start. Live Streaming and TV information is below.
India: TV: Star Sports 1/HD1 and Star Sports 3/HD3. Live Streaming: Hotstar.
New Zealand: TV: Sky Sport3. Live Streaming: Sky Go NZ.
US and Canada: TV: Willow TV. Live Streaming: Willow TV Online.
UK: TV: Sky Sports 3. Live Streaming: Watch Sky Sports.
Middle East: TV: OSN Sports Cricket. Live Streaming: OSN Cricket Live.
