Today will kickstart their quest to extend home dominance in the first of three one-day internationals against New Zealand, the No. 1-ranked 50-over team in the world.
India captain Rohit Sharma plays football during a practice session in Hyderabad yesterday. Pic/PTI
Hardly have they had time to savour their 3-0 sweep of Sri Lanka than India are confronted with another, potentially stiffer, challenge. Their record 317-run drubbing of Dasun Shanaka’s men on Sunday night is now almost a distant memory. Today will kickstart their quest to extend home dominance in the first of three one-day internationals against New Zealand, the No. 1-ranked 50-over team in the world.
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The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal will provide the backdrop against which this showdown will eventuate. India have excellent records in Tests (won four and drew one of five) and T20Is (won both) at this venue but their ODI record is dead even at three wins and three losses. A chance to get on the plus side of the ledger will beckon against a New Zealand side fresh off a 2-1 series win in Pakistan, but without experienced hands Kane Williamson, Tim Southee and Matt Henry.
Also Read: Ind vs SL 3rd ODI: Ton machine, Virat Kohli thrashes Sri Lanka with 166 runs
There’s something inherently admirable about how New Zealand go about their cricket. They invariably make a pitch for top honours at most global tournaments and yet somehow always fly under the radar, but India know better than to take any New Zealand side lightly. Their long list of disappointments against the Kiwis spilled over to the semifinal of the 2019 World Cup and while there is no scope for such sentiment as revenge in international cricket, another series triumph in the year of the World Cup will be welcomed gleefully by Rohit Sharma and his band.
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