New Zealand vs India, 5th ODI, Preview: Hosts eye another perfect game in Wellington

MS Dhoni is fit to play this game.

Published - 02 Feb 2019, 15:01 IST | Updated - 02 Feb 2019, 15:01 IST

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New Zealand wrapped up the fourth ODI even before the lunch break a couple of days ago. But even their skipper Kane Williamson acknowledged the fact that it was a rare day when everything worked for them. The Kiwis won’t mind another such effort from them which will help them end the series on a high and take the momentum into the T20Is. But India will surely be up for the task this time around after a wake-up call in Hamilton.

Rohit Sharma termed the performance as the worst in recent times and will be hoping for a better approach from the batsmen including himself. Moreover, the fact that MS Dhoni has been declared fit for this game also brings a sense of calmness to the line-up. The experimentation will continue it seems for the Men in Blue and it remains to be seen if Mohammed Siraj gets another game after a poor debut in Australia.

Kane Williamson still has a few things to worry including his own form. Strangely and surprisingly, he hasn’t scored a half-century in this series. He had six consecutive fifty-plus scores against India at home leading into the series but hasn’t managed a similar kind of impact now. Martin Guptill’s injury concern has led to Colin Munro being recalled to the side after being released to play in the Super Smash.

Team Combinations

New Zealand

Colin Munro is set to replace Guptill at the top of the order and he will open the innings with Henry Nicholls. Williamson and Ross Taylor will come in next with Tom Latham slated to bat at five. James Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme are the two all-rounders which makes the batting look settled for New Zealand. Trent Boult will play this match having been rested for the T20I series while Matt Henry deserves another go.

Probable XI: Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitch Santner, Todd Astle, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.

India

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will be opening the innings for India and Shubman Gill should bat at three again. There will be a toss up between Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik as MS Dhoni is set to return to the line-up. Karthik might have to sit after enduring an off game while Khaleel Ahmed is likely to get another chance. The spin twins won’t be rested it seems which means Ravindra Jadeja will continue to warm the bench.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Focus will be on

Henry Nicholls (New Zealand)

New Zealand are seriously thinking about Henry Nicholls as a backup opener for the World Cup. It looks a desperate measure as Munro and Guptill both haven’t been in great form. Nicholls at the top also opens up an extra slot for an all-rounder down the order which makes the batting and bowling both look strong. Nicholls’ performance in every game from now on will be crucial for the Kiwis.

Shubman Gill (India)

The U19 sensation looked a little bit lost on the field in Hamilton. His 21-ball stay at the crease showed a lot of promise and deserves another chance. Again with the World Cup in mind, he will be under the focus with the selectors in need of a backup opener as KL Rahul has struggled miserably against the England Lions as well. Gill has an opportunity to seal his place with a good knock in Wellington.