Match: India v New Zealand, 2nd ODI
Date: 20 October, Thursday
Time: 4pm SGT/1:30pm IST/9am BST
Venue: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
TV Coverage: In Singapore, the live TV coverage of the 2nd ODI between India and New Zealand will be on Star Cricket.
Live Streaming: Hotstar
Overview
India will host New Zealand in the second One Day International of the five-match series at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi on 20 October.
MS Dhoni's men started the series on a high thrashing New Zealand by six wickets in Dharamsala. An all-round effort saw Team India continue its winning streak from the three-match Test series to the ODIs.
India had quite a lot of positives to take from the Dharamsala tie. Fast-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who was asked to open with the new ball, had an impressive ODI debut, in which he picked up three wickets. Dhoni would want to continue with such a strategy for at least the next few matches as the 23-year-old will likely play a key role in the team's 2017 Champions Trophy campaign in England.
Spinners Amit Mishra and Axar Patel are likely to retain their place in the playing XI as Dhoni does not favour fiddling with a winning combination. Kedar Jadhav, who picked up two wickets with his part-time capabilities on Sunday, will have to battle for his place with Suresh Raina, who will miss Thursday's ODI also with illness.
While Virat Kohli looked solid even after playing his first ODI on Sunday after a nine-month gap, skipper Dhoni himself looked assured in his 21-run knock. Also, at the top, Ajinkya Rahane will want a big knock to stay in contention when regular openers Shikhar Dhawan and Lokesh Rahul recover from their injuries.
On the other hand, New Zealand came up with a horrid show both with the bat and the ball on Sunday. With dew setting in early during this season in the country, Kane Williamson was unlucky to lose the toss and bowl last.
However, an insipid batting display added to their woes in Dharamsala. At one stage of the match, the Black Caps were struggling at 65 for 7 only to see tail-ender Tim Southee come to their rescue. The pacer struck his highest ODI score (55) and stitched a 71-run stand with opener Tom Latham, who carried his bat with a 79.
New Zealand's top-order batsmen once again fell prey to poor shot -making, which included skipper Williamson and senior figure Ross Taylor. The two men need to stand up if the visitors are looking for a comeback.
The inclusion of Matt Henry, who was rested for the first encounter after a good show in the Test series, will add firepower to their bowling line-up.
Once again the toss might play a crucial role and the wicket is likely to be on the slower side. A lot will depend on how New Zealand batsmen go about their job at the Feroz Shah Kotla. It is time for the visitors' batsmen to step up and play the brand of cricket their side is known for.
TV Schedule
Singapore: Star Cricket
India: Star Sports
New Zealand: Sky Sport
UK: Sky Sports
US: Willow TV
Team News
India
Possible XI: MS Dhoni (c & wk), Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav
New Zealand
Possible XI: Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi (wk), Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi
