Mike Hesson singles out a veteran Kiwi star to be the biggest threat for Team India

Former New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson is expecting a thrilling contest between India and New Zealand. Team India is all set to play 5 ODI and 3 T20Is during their tour of New Zealand. After a successful tour of Australia, the Men in Blue are riding sky high in confidence. No wonder why the former Kiwi coach reckons it will be tough series between the two sides – India has the momentum, and New Zealand enjoy the home advantage.

MS Dhoni has been a talking point in recent times. Mike Hesson also gave his opinions on the form of the master player. He cited that Dhoni shows what experience can bring to the table. However, he correctly pointed out that the actual challenge for Dhoni would be to perform when India bats first in a given match. In Australia, Dhoni succeeded in the run chases, and India did not bat first in any game on the tour.

“Dhoni’s runs just shows the value of experience. Most players in the world would have panicked considering the situation Dhoni was in but he looked calmer than anybody else. It suggests that he has been in this situation many times before and knows how to pace a chase. Challenge for Dhoni is going to be when the side is batting first, how hard he needs to go. In terms of chasing a total, which is still the hardest thing in cricket, he is a genius,” the former New Zealand head coach remarked.

Who is the threat?

Speaking for the home side, Mike Hesson reckons that it would be veteran star Ross Taylor who would be the trump card. Hesson noted that Taylor has been averaging around the 90s in the recent months and his sublime form will hurt India. Furthermore, the addition of Colin de Grandhomme and Mitch Santner in the lower middle order only intensify the might of the batting lineup.

“Ross Taylor is averaging in the 90s in the last 12 months. He is the New Zealand big gun in the middle-order. Apart from that, the all-rounders James Neesham, Colin De Grandhomme, Doug Bracewell and Mitchell Santner will all be crucial. The four of them are vying for two spots in World Cup squad. From the seam bowling point of view, who is going to back up Trent Boult is a big question. Tim Southee has been a good partner but he’s under little bit of pressure, certainly needs to step up,” Mike Hesson told CricketNext.

On wrist spinners dominating the series

Whenever New Zealand hosts a match, the talk is often about the pitches and how they are well suited for seamers. If Hesson is to be believed, then this time around, the spinners could well prove to be a big role. Despite the fact that the grounds have shorter boundaries in New Zealand, Hesson is optimistic about the wrist spinners succeeding. India has Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in their armoury, while the Kiwis have leggie Ish Sodhi and Todd Astle.

“Wrist spinners Sodhi, Yadav and Chahal, as well as Todd Astle, will definitely play a big role, more than the finger in Santner who can provide the all-rounder’s role for the Black Caps. I believe both Sodhi and Astle are in the running for World Cup slots with the kind of pitches what will be on offer in England that time of the year. India with Kuldeep and Chahal have got a very good variety. The ability of the New Zealand middle-order to play the wrist spin will probably dictate the course of this ODI series,” Hesson conceded.

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