After winning the T20I series, the Indian team will clash with New Zealand in a series of five One-Day Internationals, starting on November 4. The opening match of the ODI series will take place in Auckland on November 4, the second in Wellington on November 7, the third in Hamilton on November 10, and the fourth and fifth in Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15.
Both teams are giants in the ODI format, with them meeting in the semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2023 and the final of the Champions Trophy 2025. Hence, there is huge hype for the ODI series, and we take a look at the 3 main player battles to look out for.
Here are the 3 player battles to watch out for in the NZ vs. IND ODI series:
3. Virat Kohli vs Matt Henry
With over 15,000 runs, 55 centuries and an average of 58.78, Virat Kohli is undoubtedly the second best in the world after Sachin Tendulkar in ODIs. He has a good record in New Zealand with 596 runs in 13 ODIs with one century and 4 fifties, and an average just shy of 50. He knows the conditions well and will be a headache for New Zealand bowlers. Matt Henry has 172 wickets in 95 ODIs with the best bowling of 5/30. He is the premier pacer for New Zealand with lots of experience against Virat Kohli in the Indian Premier League. He is expected to be lethal in home conditions and trouble Indian batters.
2. Devon Conway vs Mohammed Siraj
Devon Conway will be a threat to Indian bowlers, given how freely he flows his batting and how easily he scores runs in the format. He already has 1692 runs in 43 ODIs with an average of 433.38 and has hit 5 centuries and 6 fifties. He will be batting in home conditions and knows how to go about his innings. India’s best hope to stop Conway will be Mohammed Siraj. Siraj has 77 wickets in 51 ODIs and has 10 wickets against New Zealand in 7 meetings. This will be his first time in ODIs in New Zealand, and Siraj’s ability to swing the ball in the air will be of a huge advantage for the Indian team.
1. Shubman Gill vs Mitchell Santner
This will be the battle of two captains and their mind games. Shubman Gill made his ODI debut in New Zealand and has gone on to become a modern great with 3713 runs in 70 ODIs, with an average of 64.01, 11 centuries, and 20 fifties, including two double centuries. He will be eager to score runs in New Zealand, a place where he won the 2018 U19 World Cup. Mitchell Santner, on the other hand, will look to stop the Indian batters’ onslaught. With 139 wickets in 129 ODIs, Santner is one of the most impressive spinners from New Zealand. His job will be to keep the middle overs quiet and put pressure on opposition batters.
