New Zealand vs India 2020, 2nd ODI, Auckland - New Zealand Predicted XI

New Zealand turned things around in spectacular fashion in the first of the three ODIs in Hamilton on Wednesday after a 0-5 drubbing in the T20 series. Not many gave the hosts chance after India left them to chase 348 on the backdrop of Shreyas Iyer’s maiden ODI hundred and the pyrotechnics by KL Rahul and Kedar Jadhav to close out the innings. Their chances of a win looked further bleak due to the absence of Kane Williamson.

However, in the absence of the regular skipper, veteran batsman Ross Taylor and stand-in captain Tom Latham stepped up and led them to a much-needed victory. It was also the highest successful run-chase at the Seddon Park. Amid a convincing win, the Black Caps must be wary of the Indian team’s ability to come back hard from a loss. At the same time, the Kiwis need to be confident as well and improve on their bowling department.

We take a look at New Zealand’s predicted XI ahead of the second ODI in Auckland:

Martin Guptill:

Not often Martin Guptill plays the defensive game. But on Wednesday, the opening batsman did since it was crucial to set up the foundation to gun down a near 350 plus score. Along with Henry Nicholls, Guptill put on 85 for the first wicket before holing out to the third man for 32. It was all the more surprising to see that his 41-ball knock containing just the one boundary.

Henry Nicholls:

Unlike Guptill’s opening partner in T20s Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls isn’t one of those dashers and crashers. In the first match, the Kiwis needed a batsman at the top to build the innings calmly without taking unnecessary risks. And Nicholls did precisely that. After putting on 85 with Guptill, the southpaw added 62 with Ross Taylor to put themselves in a strong position. Indian captain Virat Kohli sent him back to the pavilion for 78 by effecting a brilliant run-out. He deserves as much credit as Ross Taylor and Tom Latham.

Tom Blundell:

Tom Blundell made his ODI debut in the first match at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. The wicketkeeper-batsman came in a pressure situation, but couldn’t make a significant difference as Kuldeep Yadav made him his victim for 9. The home side have an option in Mark Chapman, who averages 40 in a handful of ODIs so far. But they may give Blundell one more go.

Ross Taylor:

The star of the first match, Ross Taylor is perhaps the absolute heart of this batting line-up in the absence of Kane Williamson. In his 84-ball 109, the 35-year old smashed four sixes and ten boundaries, keeping the scoreboard ticking by frequently finding the fence. He shared partnerships of 62 and 138 along with Henry Nicholls and Tom Latham to keep victory in sights. If the hosts are to wrap up the series, New Zealand would need Taylor to make a significant impact in Auckland as well.

Tom Latham:

As a stand-in captain, Tom Latham had a massive responsibility on his shoulders to lead the Kiwis to the first victory of the tour. And with the bat, he displayed that he is as competent as Kane Williamson. The blistering partnership of 138 off only 80 deliveries was what New Zealand required when Latham came out to bat. The 27-year old departed for 69 off only 48 balls with the score reading as 309-4, signalling that he had done his job. He would lead the team again since Williamson is likely to be back for the third ODI.

James Neesham:

The bowlers from either side were expensive in Wednesday’s encounter and Neesham was no exception. The all-rounder went for 52 in only eight overs, conceding three boundaries and two sixes. He couldn’t make an impact with his bat, managing only nine runs before chipping it to long-on. But considering this being his first game of the tour, he should retain his spot for the second ODI.

Colin De Grandhomme:

Colin De Grandhomme picked up one wicket in the first match and was their most economical bowler of that night. However, with the bat, the Zimbabwe-born all-rounder has been out of form for quite some time now. After making all single-figure scores in T20 series, he could manage only a single before going back to the pavilion. New Zealand would expect a significant contribution from him and he needs to produce one at some stage of the series.

Mitchell Santner:

Mitchell Santner couldn’t be amongst the wickets in Hamilton, but was one of their most economical bowlers. At number eight, the left-arm spinner smashed a six and four off Shardul Thakur to bring New Zealand within inches of clinching a victory. The left-arm spinner should keep his place too.

Kyle Jamieson:

Kyle Jamieson is all set to don his first ODI cap in the second game at the Auckland in place of Ish Sodhi. The towering medium pacer has 35 wickets from 27 games in all of LIST A matches and can be used as a partnership breaker. In addition to his bowling skills, Jamieson is also a skilled power hitter with a strike rate of 116.24 in the format. Hence, unleashing the 25-year old isn’t a bad move.

Tim Southee:

Tim Southee isn’t particularly having a good time in this tour so far. After failing to defend two scores for New Zealand in two super overs, Southee became the most expensive bowler in the first ODI. The 31-year old seamer gave away 85 runs in his ten overs for two wickets. But given he is their most experienced seamer presently in the squad, he should retain his spot for the second ODI in Auckland.

Scott Kuggeleijn:

The only change one could foresee for the encounter in Auckland is Scott Kuggeleijn coming in for Hamish Bennett. The 32-year old conceded 77 runs in ten overs in Hamilton without picking up a single wicket. Scott Kuggeleijn, who played in the last three T20Is looked a lot better due to his good control and sharp pace. Hence, New Zealand can make this one change heading into the second game to wrap up the series.