A victory for India in the series opener will help the hosts regain the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI rankings.
The experienced Dinesh Karthik comes into the playing eleven, while Shikhar Dhawan takes his place at the top of the order in place of Ajinkya Rahane.
A strong bowling attack featuring wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav along with two pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
12:03 Rampaging India start as favourites against Kiwis: Welcome to the coverage of the first One-Day International between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.
Hardly challenged in a dominating run this season, India once again start as overwhelming favourites when they take on an inconsistent-but-gritty New Zealand in a three-match ODI series.
The Virat Kohli-led side thrashed World champions Australia 4-1 earlier this month, and clearly the Black Caps will have to come up with a special effort to make a mark against the rampaging hosts.
India, who have won their last six ODI series, look unstoppable at the moment, especially in home conditions. Infact, since surrendering to Australia back in 2009-10, India have lost only to Pakistan (2012) and South Africa in 16 bilateral rubbers, a clear indication of how dominant they have been in familiar conditions.
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Considering that the 4-1 result over Australia was achieved without skipper Virat Kohli being in top form and despite the absence of prolific opener Shikhar Dhawan, it was a huge achievement.
Vice-captain Rohit Sharma scored 296 runs, including a century and two fifties at an average just below 60. The ever-dependable Ajinkya Rahane hit 244 runs, which included four half-centuries, while all-rounder Hardik Pandya amassed 222 runs.
The ever-reliable Mahendra Singh Dhoni had a subdued time with the bat against Australia.
With a new-look spin attack with Chinaman Kuldeep Singh and orthodox leggie Yuzvendra Chahal, along with the left-arm orthodox Axar Patel as back-up, India’s slow bowling too sports a supremely challenging look.
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Among the pacers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah are expected to trouble the Kiwis in the opening as well as ‘death’ overs.
Source: Rediff