India will be taking on New Zealand in a three-match ODI series at home, with the first match scheduled for Sunday, January 11 at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. The second ODI will be held at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on January 14, followed by the final ODI at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on January 18.
In the history of India vs New Zealand ODIs, the two teams have faced each other 120 times, with India emerging victorious in 62 matches compared to New Zealand’s 50 wins. One match ended in a tie, while seven matches had no result. India has a strong record at home against New Zealand in ODIs, winning 31 out of 40 matches with only eight losses and one no result.
As the two teams renew their white-ball rivalry, let’s take a look at a combined ODI playing XI featuring players from both sides.
### Top order: Virender Sehwag, Nathan Astle, Virat Kohli
Virender Sehwag, with his explosive batting, takes the opening slot alongside Nathan Astle in the combined India-New Zealand playing XI. Sehwag scored 1,157 runs in 23 ODIs against New Zealand, with an average of 52.59 and a strike rate of 103.95, including six centuries and three half-centuries.
Nathan Astle, who played 29 ODIs against India, scored 1,207 runs at an average of 43.10, including five centuries and five fifties. Virat Kohli, the former India captain, takes the number three spot with 1,657 runs in 33 matches against New Zealand at an average of 55.23 and a strike rate of 95.50, comprising six hundreds and nine fifties.
### Middle-order & All-rounder: Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Chris Cairns
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor anchor the middle-order in the combined XI, with MS Dhoni leading the side and donning the gloves. Chris Cairns adds depth to the batting lineup with his all-round abilities.
Williamson scored 1,239 runs in 31 ODIs against India at an average of 44.25, while Taylor amassed 1,385 runs in 35 matches at an average of 47.75. Dhoni, in 28 ODIs against New Zealand, scored 940 runs at an average of 49.47 and took 24 catches and effected nine stumpings behind the wickets. Cairns contributed with both bat and ball in his 32 ODIs against India, scoring 838 runs and picking up 25 wickets.
### Bowlers: Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Mohammad Shami, Trent Boult
The pace attack is led by Javagal Srinath, Mohammad Shami, and Trent Boult, supported by spin maestro Anil Kumble. Srinath picked up 51 wickets in 30 ODIs against New Zealand, while Shami claimed 38 wickets in 16 matches. Boult, with 26 wickets in 15 ODIs against India, adds variety to the bowling attack. Kumble, with 39 wickets in 31 matches, provides the much-needed spin prowess to the team.
With a formidable lineup featuring some of the best players from both India and New Zealand, this combined ODI playing XI promises to be a thrilling encounter between the two cricketing powerhouses.
