New Zealand’s top-ranked ODI team will play India in a three-match series. Wednesday, January 18, is the series opener at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The hosts will be confident after their 3-0 win over Sri Lanka, while the Kiwis will be buoyed by their first ODI series triumph against Pakistan in 46 years.
India and New Zealand would want to figure out their bowling combinations ahead of the ODI World Cup in less than a year under similar conditions.
Some bowlers on both teams might shine here. Let’s look at three bowlers that could do well in Hyderabad’s maiden ODI.
3 Kuldeep Yadav—India
Kuldeep Yadav, India’s top spinner, has improved in recent months. In 2022, Kuldeep rebounded from bad form and injuries. The left-armer had a promising IPL 2022 with Delhi Capitals (DC) and inspired Team India performances.
Kuldeep finished the Sri Lankan series as the best wicket-taker with five wickets at 13.40 after claiming 12 scalps in eight ODIs in 2022.
The Kanpur spinner will be anxious to make his impact again on Wednesday thanks to his trickery and mid-overs wickets.
2 Mitchell Santner (NZ)
Mitchell Santner will bowl for New Zealand in the first ODI without injured Ish Sodhi. Left-arm orthodox tweakers bowl tight lines and pressure batters.
Santner may be difficult for Indian batters in the opening ODI due to the Hyderabad surface favouring slower bowlers.
The 30-year-old will want to perform well on Wednesday to start the series well.
1 Mohammed Siraj—India
Mohammed Siraj, the apparent choice for both teams, has risen in 50-over stocks. He took 24 ODI wickets at 23.5 in 15 innings for India in 2022.
He started 2023 similarly, leaving Sri Lankan hitters confused over his seam movement. The speedster took nine wickets at 10.2 in the series.
In the upcoming ODI series, Siraj will be eager to play and maintain his form.
The local boy would also be driven to give his Hyderabad fans a unique performance.
