IND vs NZ LIVE: India vs NewZealand LIVE: With ODI World Cup exactly 11 months away, Team India begin preparations in NewZealand. In absence of big guns, the IND vs NZ ODI series serves as the perfect opportunity for testing combinations. But ahead of the 1st ODI against Kane Williamson’s men, VVS Laxman and Shikhar Dhawan have 3 big puzzles to solve. The biggest one of them is Sanju Samson vs Deepak Hooda. Follow IND vs NZ 1st ODI LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Three Big Selection PUZZLES for Team India:
- Sanju Samson or Deepak Hooda?
- Washington Sundar or Kuldeep Yadav?
- Arshdeep Singh or Umran Malik?
IND vs NZ LIVE: 3 BIG Selection PUZZLES for VVS Laxman & Shikhar Dhawan, will Sanju Samson finally get a go? Follow India vs NewZealand 1st ODI LIVE Updates
Although VVS Laxman has indicated a change in approach, utilising a lot more all-rounders in the line-up, Sanju Samson is a big factor. As Rishabh Pant is the designated vice-captain, he has the spot secured. But the same isn’t the case for Sanju Samson. It seems, he is on a series-to-basis. No matter how well he performs, he hasn’t managed to reserve his spot. The laxman-Dhawan duo now will have to make the right decision.
T20Is ✅
ODI Mode 🔛#TeamIndia | #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/RtJXYcNbAp
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 23, 2022
IND vs NZ LIVE: Sanju Samson or Deepak Hooda?
- Going by India’s newest T20 approach, the more all-rounders the better team combinations could become.
- However, ignoring Sanju Samson could come with its limitations.
- Sanju Samson is in fine form and he has proven that time and again.
- Against South Africa, he almost took the team home. He scored a brilliant 86 at No 6.
- But Deepak Hooda offers India the 6th bowling option.
- Hooda hasn’t really starred with the bat of late in limited opportunities.
- But his all-rounder profile gives India a big option.
- Samson has scored 248 runs at an average of 82.66 in 2022 with two half-centuries.
- For Hooda, the stats are disappointing in both batting and bowling.
- He has scored 141 runs in 6 innings at an average of 28.20. He has managed just 3 wickets 25 overs.
- India are likely to opt for Samson for his better batting and flexibility in case of a collapse.
| Players | Matches | Innings | Runs | Avg | SR | HS | 50/100 | Wickets | Best Bowling |
| Sanju Samson | 9 | 8 | 248 | 82.66 | 107.35 | 86* | 2/0 | NA | NA |
| Deepak Hooda | 8 | 6 | 141 | 28.2 | 85.98 | 33 | 0/0 | 3 | 1/6 |
Washington Sundar or Kuldeep Yadav?
- If one is a clearly better batsman, the other one is clearly the better bowler.
- Laxman and Dhawan will have to take a tough call.
- Sundar and Kuldeep are both injury-prone and have been in and out of rehab.
- For Sundar, he makes a strong case with no finger-spinners in the line-up.
- However, more than his bowling, he is known for his batting.
- He can score some quick runs at No 7 and also offer bowling depth.
- But Kuldeep Yadav has only warmed the bench so far in most series.
- With three pacers, India may opt for Kul-Cha pair.
- For Washington Sundar and Kuldeep both to feature in the line-up, India will need to sacrifice a batter.
- Sanju Samson may end up being the scapegoat again if India opt for a finger-spinner.
IND vs NZ LIVE: 3 BIG Selection PUZZLES for VVS Laxman & Shikhar Dhawan, will Sanju Samson finally get a go? Follow India vs NewZealand 1st ODI LIVE Updates
IND vs NZ LIVE: Arshdeep Singh or Umran Malik?
- In what would be a battle for ODI debut, both Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh bring in their own expertise.
- If Umran relies on express pace, Arshdeep has been excellent with his variety and swing.
- Arshdeep has already proven his worth. His left-arm seam bowling has been a treat to watch.
- But in absence of swing, India need someone with a genuine pace. Umran Malik fulfills that criteria.
- It would remain a mystery why Hardik Pandya did not try Umran in the T20 series.
- But it’s time to unleash Umran in more difficult 10-over spell situation.
- What works against Umran is his relative inexperience in List A cricket.
- Umran has played just 3 List A games for Jammu & Kashmir bagging only two wickets for 6.40 economy.
- If that is to be considered, Arshdeep’s experience, economy and wicket-taking ability may hand him the debut cap.
| List A | Matches | Innings | Wickets | Economy | SR | Best Bowling |
| Arshdeep Singh | 17 | 16 | 21 | 4.76 | 38.9 | 4/30 |
| Umran Malik | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6.40 | 75.00 | 1/35 |
India’s squad for New Zealand ODIs: Shikhar Dhawan (C), Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (VC and WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Chahar, Umran Malik
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