1st ODI: India look to continue winning momentum against Black Caps
Hamilton/UNI: After a thumping 5-0 victory in the recently concluded T20I series, India will look to carry forward their winning momentum as they they take on the hosts in the first ODI of the three-match series at Seddon Parkm, here on Wednesday.
Going into this match, India will be forced to alter their playing combination after injury to many key players.
Joining Shikhar Dhawan in the injury list, is in-form opener Rohit Sharma, who pulled a calf muscle while batting during the fifth T20I and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the tour.
Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw have been called up to the side and will make their ODI debuts, opening for India with KL Rahul slotting in the middle-order.
Speaking on the eve of the game, Kohli revealed that he wants KL Rahul to keep wickets and bat in the middle-order looking at the road ahead.
"It is unfortunate that Rohit can't be part of the ODI series, the impact he's had is there for everyone to see. We do not have any ODI tournaments to look up to, so it is ideal for him to get recovered. In ODI, Prithvi is definitely going to start, KL will play in the middle-order. We want him to get accustomed to keep and play in the middle," Kohli told reporters.
The Indian bowling combination looks fairly settled with Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge. Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja who didn't play in last two T20Is against Kiwis will most likely return to the playing XI.
It will be also interesting to see who among Yuzvendra Chahal or Kuldeep Yadav will be India's first-choice leg-spinner in the format.
Image credit : UNI
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