India vs New Zealand 2017: Predicted Squad Of India For ODI Series

With the series done and dusted against Australia, Team India will now have its eye set on New Zealand. Virat Kohli & Co. have not lost an ODI series this year and will be looking to extend the winning run against the visitors who have had a mixed fortune in the 50-over format this year.

India thoroughly dominated the ODI series against Australia winning the five-match series 4-1 and will enter the upcoming series as the favourites.

So here we look at the possible 15 men who will make it to the squad that will play against New Zealand in the three-match ODI series:

1. Rohit Sharma:

The in-form opening batsman continued his sizzling show against the team from Down Under, finishing the series as its highest run-scorer. Will be eyeing another good series.

2. Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan missed the series against Australia due to family reasons but is more than likely to return to the team for the forthcoming season.

3. Ajinkya Rahane:

Another impressive performer against Australia, Rahane scored 4 consecutive half-centuries against the reigning world champions. But while he is a definite pick in the squad, one cannot say that he will be included in the playing eleven as Dhawan is likely to get the nod ahead of him.

4. Virat Kohli

Barring the 92-run knock in the second ODI, the India skipper’s poor form against Australia this year continued. He will be keen to return to his best against the Black Caps.

5. Manish Pandey

Pandey managed to score two 30-plus scores against Australia but his struggle in the other games would have surely worried the team management which is having a hard time in finding a suitable player for the number four spot.

6. KL Rahul:

After his failure in Sri Lanka, Rahul did not get a single game against Australia. But is likely to be retained in the team and another failure from Pandey can see him returning to the playing eleven.

7. Suresh Raina:

With the likes of Pandey and Rahul struggling in the middle-order, there is a chance that the selectors might recall the experienced Suresh Raina who has not played an ODI since October 2015.

7. MS Dhoni

Dhoni showed good form with the bat early on in the series and was phenomenal behind the stumps. Will be eyeing another strong series.

8. Kedar Jadhav:

Jadhav managed to come up with handy scores whenever the team needed him against Australia and will be desperate for a strong series against the Kiwis.

9. Hardik Pandya

The man of the moment, Pandya continued his meteoric rise in the last ODI series, as he bagged his maiden Man of the Series award for scoring 222 runs in addition to picking up 5 wickets.

11. Kuldeep Yadav

The chinaman spinner also had a good outing against the team from Down Under as he finished the five-match series as India’s highest wicket-taker, taking 7 wickets including a hat-trick.

12. Axar Patel:

With Kuldeep and Chahal going strong, Axar did not get as many chances as he would have wanted but is likely to retain his place in the team.

13. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

One of the reasons behind the series win against Australia was Bhuvneshwar Kumar‘s disciplined bowling. He was hailed by Steve Smith as one of the best death bowlers in the world and will be looking to enhance his reputation against New Zealand.

14. Jasprit Bumrah

Along with Bhuvneshwar, Bumrah was also called as one of the best death bowlers by Smith. He too will be hoping for another strong showing.

15. Yuzvendra Chahal:

With his ability to pick up crucial wickets and without conceding much, Chahal has become Kohli’s go-to-man