The last time New Zealand won an ODI against India in India was 12 years ago. That is not the statistic a visiting team would like to be reminded particularly when the performance in the Test series has been one-sided. Only four players from the current squad have the experience of playing ODIs in India before. However, New Zealand, who are ranked one place above India (4), will hope to end the rout against an Indian team featuring a new-look bowling attack.
India will play their 900th ODI at the scenic HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. Since the first half of 2016 was dominated by T20Is, and the latter with Tests, this will also be the first ODI series at home this year.
Captain MS Dhoni, who will be leading India for the 195th time in the ODIs welcomed the move to rest regular bowlers – R. Ashwin, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja – and said the scenario will help India test the bench strength before the ICC Champions Trophy in June. “I feel looking at the Test matches in India, there is pressure on the players, especially on the bowlers. It is a good decision to rest them. We'll get an opportunity if the regular ODI players aren't there, the other players will get a chance.
“It will be good to some extent to see the bench strength. Also, we're playing only eight matches before the Champions Trophy. Whatever we have in our minds, we can do in these games and see where we're going.”
It was a similar case for him during India’s last ODI series against Zimbabwe. Dhoni said that over the years his role as captain has slightly changed with young members coming in. “I made my debut in 2004 and till now, a lot of things have changed. The kind of players coming into the Indian team is drastically different to what we are used to. That's where a bit of sharing experience with the youngsters (comes in) and at the same time, putting more emphasis on the fitness part. A mix of all these things is where my role to some extent has changed.
“Other than that, it's been quite the same. You try to interact with the youngsters a lot. And at the same time you have to check with the support staff as to whether cricket is moving, how Test is played differently and how ODI cricket is played differently. A lot has changed and you have to keep evolving with time and that's what I've been trying to do.”
He also added that in the current set-up, he would move up the batting order, likely to be No. 5. “I may bat slightly up the order now. This team will give me an opportunity to bat at the number I'm looking for. But still it'll be quite low. It's not like a No.4 where I could bat still it'll be relatively higher than what I'm used to in the last few years.”
India’s bowling attack comprises Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Amit Mishra, Axar Patel, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and off-spinner Jayant Yadav. Dhoni said the challenge was more about talent management. “Man management is slightly different. Talent management is also that is something required at this stage. I feel the execution part is most important, you can manage the individuals. At the end of the day, at the right moment, they have to execute. That's where the crucial point is.”
He praised Bumrah for his death bowling skills. “If you see Bumrah, he has done really well for us whatever games he's played. He's become like a banker, especially when it comes to death bowling. Umesh is getting a chance again to play at this level in the limited-overs format. He has been somebody who has pace and who has developed his bowling over the years. It'll be a good chance for him to express himself. He is bowling quick and is fit.”
While there are youngsters in the team, the presence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane stabilize the team with their experience. The India captain said that he is now having frequent interactions with Virat. “I have already started using him (Virat) more. If you witness a match, you will see I have more interactions with him on the field because two individuals of course will conduct in different ways, so it's important during the course of the game because practical is very important. A lot of times you can argue on the theory aspect, but practicality is more often than not during the game.”
