No Suresh Raina again, so Kedar Jadhav will get another opportunity to make an impression as India and New Zealand slug it out in the second one-day international on Thursday. The match at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi promises to be a lot closer after India controlled proceedings in the first game from ball one.
Considering the ease with which India won that opening match, thanks largely to their bowlers, it is difficult to envisage MS Dhoni and Anil Kumble deciding to make any changes to their playing XI.
Hardik Pandya was the most impressive player in the Dharamsala match, with the all-rounder bringing his fast bowling skills to the fore. It was Pandya and Umesh Yadav's spells with the new ball that paved the way for the big six-wicket win, and it will be interesting to see if the two bowlers can make the same impact in the second match as well.
With the surface likely to be a little different from the Dharamsala one, it will also be interesting to see what Dhoni or Kane Williamson do if they win the toss. With the dew likely to play a role, bowling first is always the safer option, but if India feel like putting on a big score and with it giving their batsmen a real run-out in the middle, they might decide to bat first.
However, considering this is just the second game of a five-match series and they are up against a strong New Zealand side, Dhoni will go with what he feels is the best option for the team.
The skipper will hope for a stronger start from his openers – Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane – and will also expect more from Manish Pandey, who Kumble confirmed is being looked at as India's long-term No.4.
As easy as the win was, it was a still a little worrying to see Virat Kohli take up the chasing reins again. It is paramount for the other batsmen to step up and make their presence felt as well. With Raina still missing, as he recovers from illness, Jadhav will get another chance to make an impression with the bat at No.6, while he will also want to pick up a few more wickets with his part-time off-spinners.
New Zealand rested both Trent Boult and Matt Henry for the opening match, and it remains to be seen if either or both come back in. Bowling, though, was not the problem in the first match and the Kiwis will know they must bat better to stand any chance of beating this India side.
The onus will be on Martin Guptill to give the Black Caps a searing start, while there is plenty of pressure on the experienced Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor to deliver with the willow as well.
Confirmed playing XI: India: Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (C), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav.
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Anton Devcich, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.
