India-New Zealand series – preview of hosts’ ODI squad

The much anticipated series between India and New Zealand is expected to get underway from January 19 with a one dayer at Napier. As was expected, the Kiwi selectors have announced a tightly knit 13 man squad for the 50 over games. The team has been in decent form of late in the tests against the Windies but it was not so successful in the one day matches, having had to settle with a tied series. So it can be expected that the Kiwi cricketers will be eager to make amends against one of the leading ODI teams of the world by winning the series. Now let us take a look, on a man-to-man basis, at the players who have been selected to do duty against India:

 

Brendon McCullum: The Kiwi skipper shall play an important role with his devastating batting. He is also known to be an attacking captain.

 

Corey Anderson: An up and coming allrounder whose role will be to come in later in the batting order and pulverize the Indian bowlers. He can also play an important containing role with his seam bowling.

 

Martin Guptill: The exciting opener will be expected to set the platform and also create sufficient pressure with his exceptional fielding.

 

Mitchell McClenaghan: The seam bowler has been one of the best for the Kiwis in this form of the game ever since making his debut. His primary role in the team will be to pick up key wickets at the top and destabilize the Indians.

 

Nathan McCullum: In Vettori’s absence he will be the main spinner. In addition, his punchy lower order batting could come in handy as well.

 

Kyle Mills: The experienced war horse will provide control with the ball – his primary role will be to stifle the Indians and create pressure that can be exploited by others.

 

Adam Milne: He is right now the fastest bowler in New Zealand and can effortlessly clock more than 90 miles an hour. His primary role will be to shock the Indians with his pace and any bounce that he can get from the wickets.

 

James Neesham: The young allrounder can contribute good runs down the order but his primary role will be with the ball. He has the capability to bowl at good pace with decent line and length and so will play the important role of the stock bowler in the middle overs.

 

Luke Ronchi: The keeper rediscovered his touch in front of the stumps during the Sri Lanka series and since then has been making vital contributions with the bat for the Kiwis. He will play a crucial role down the order.

 

Jesse Ryder: The explosive opener has come back to the team in the series against the Windies and that too in roaring form. He, like his possible opening partner Guptill, will be relied on to provide the fireworks in the top order – may also be asked to bowl an over or two.

 

Tim Southee: The best seam bowler in the New Zealand team, he will also have the responsibility to pick up the wickets up front. He is also a capable bowler at the death.

 

Ross Taylor: The best batsman in the team, he will play a pivotal role in either 3 or 4 during the one day series. He may have to hold up an end in case of a bad start or be the rock around whom others can bat in case the start is a good one.

 

Kane Williamson: The diminutive batsman is one for the future and will surely be expected to play a critical role not only with the bat but also his decent offspin.