Virat Kohli`s century overshadowed by Corey Anderson`s performance..

In the first ODI Virat Kohli`S brilliant 123 off 111 balls got overshadowed by 

Corey Anderson`s all round performance of 68 not out and 2 wickets.

Indian bowlers anyhow managed to contain Kiwis below 300, but  batsman failed to achieve 292.
Can it be different story on Wednesday 22nd Jan for the second ODI? Would Indians handle NZ pace-men better?

Kiwis challenging at home!

India to take on New Zealand on their home turf with five matches ODI series to start with on Sunday 19^th Jan (morning for Indian viewers). Though as per ICC rankings hosts are way down at number 8 against no. 1 India, to expect India to run over can be a misleading. With the weather conditions similar to England, windy strong breeze, odd shaped grounds and slow outfield, these are few of things visiting teams always find difficult to overcome. It`s a little less toured destination for Team India. Out of 30 India has 10 wins against NZ`s 19.Only before last World Cup, India managed to clinch series victory, under MS Dhoni 3-1 in 2008-2009. Apart from MS only two regular batsmen – Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma have played international cricket in New Zealand. However India stands a good chance of winning consecutive series there, considering hosts - NZ `s – ordinary record in recent times. Post 2011, out of 19 ODIs New Zealand have lost 10 and won 8, that too with 3 wins against lesser Zimbabwe. This ordinary home record is primarily due to inconsistent batting by New Zealanders.

Brendon McCullum`s  innovative stroke play

Mahendra Singh Dhoni 

For Indian bowlers’ very demanding and new conditions, Dhoni is expecting wind and pitch help the fast bowlers at Napier on Sunday. As always, India expecting to depend heavily on their fast emerging new formidable, fearless batting line up. The most important factor for this tour from India`s point of view is, good exposure ahead of the 2015 World Cup. India is scheduled to play two group games in Auckland and Hamilton, while New Zealand will also host a quarter-final and a semi-final. Lot of youngsters would like to take this opportunity to cement their places in the team for the World Cup. The no. 4 batting spot is wide open due to absence of dropped Yuvaraj Singh. Competition would be amongst Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina and even be Ambati Rayudu. Newcomer Stuart Binny is likely to get a chance to play as an all-rounder. New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, is already thinking of playing four quicks. Adam Milne could be New Zealand's main weapon against India, along with Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Tim Southee or Mitchell McClenaghan. Corey Anderson would be batting attraction, known for his powerful striking, took it to a new level on New Year's Day 2014 when he broke the world record for the fastest ODI hundred with a 36-ball blitzkrieg against West Indies at Queenstown. Brendon McCullum is in no mood to give India a friendly and soft welcome, where as MS Dhoni feels India are ready as they have had a few days to prepare. So let`s see if India can wipe out memories of recent losses in South Africa and continues to be number one in ICC ODI rankings.

-for Gavakari`s The Day View, Nashik.

Short Safari Big Lessons

So India just marginally bettered their miserable overseas record. As the first test was drawn avoiding series of whitewash defeats in test matches. This is little consolation from the earlier 0-4 losses, when it was expected to get 0-2 thrashing by world no.1 side in their own backyard, India escaped with 0-1. India missed great opportunity to capitalize on a splendid 197 for one on second day morning of the second test and got out at 334, in the first innings. This apart, there are quite few positives for India to take especially in batting department. Post Sachin, Rahul and VVS Laxman`s exit. India was extremely pleased with the trio- Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane`s splendid performances against deadly South African attack. Virat settled doubts about his overseas batting ability. Pujara continues his hunger for runs, form, methodical and technically sound display on foreign soil also. But biggest find was Ajinkya Rahane`s solidity at no.6. Rahane showed lot of maturity, technique and temperament for India to look hopeful for the brighter future. Only disappointments were in from Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma`s failures. These two will get more chances to show their ability to bat better outside Indian subcontinent. Captain Dhoni at no.7 also was just below average.

Cheteshwar Pujara 

Ajinkya Rahane

However the biggest worry continues to be Indian bowling – pace as well as spin. South Africa exposed the limits of Indian attack once again after fifth day of first test, when they almost chased improbable 458.India failed to stop hosts scoring 500 and thereby dominating the rest of the match and finally winning it at ease with 10 wickets. With a good wicket Indian pacers Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami failed to make any impression. India`s spin trump card at home R. Ashwin, had to make way for Raivndra Jadeja who bowled very well to take  6 wickets. This is the only plus if Jadeja manages to remain consistent. Pacers look very ordinary when there is no help from the pitch. India needs to look beyond ageing Zaheer Khan. Ishant Sharma failed to deliver much after he shown some hope in the first test. Mohammad Shami will get better with the more exposure; even he himself was upset about his final test performance. To win you have to have the bowling attack to be able to take 20 wickets of opposition. After five One Dayers` India would play 2 tests in February on New Zealand tour, with almost same bowling unit except addition of new comer Ishwar Pandey. Pragyan Ojha is dropped from the squad, who anyway did not have any match on the tour. As far captaincy MS Dhoni continues without much competition after 52 tests as captain. Has got the challenge to build new look team India which also performs well overseas.

-for Gavakari`s The Day View, Nashik.