India vs New Zealand Prediction & Match Preview – 1st ODI, Vadodara

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma are expected to open for India. Jaiswal arrives in fine touch after an unbeaten century in his previous ODI and has 171 runs from four matches. Rohit scored 136 in three ODIs against South Africa with two half-centuries, then hit 156 in the opening match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and has 487 runs in his last 10 ODIs at 54.11. Virat Kohli is set for number three after two centuries and a fifty in the last ODI series, plus back-to-back hundreds in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Shubman Gill returns as captain and has 623 runs in 12 matches against New Zealand. Shreyas Iyer is expected back in the XI because of an injury to Tilak Varma, and KL Rahul, who has 328 runs from eight games against the Kiwis, should finish at six. Mohammed Siraj returns to lead the pace attack alongside Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana, and Kuldeep Yadav, with 24 wickets in 13 ODIs against New Zealand, heads the spin department.

For New Zealand, Devon Conway is expected to open with Henry Nicholls, and Will Young is likely at three. Daryl Mitchell is the key man after 497 runs in his last eight ODIs at 82.83, and he has 586 runs in India at 53.27. Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips add depth, while Kyle Jamieson, Zak Foulkes and Michael Rae form the pace group, with Foulkes taking nine wickets in his last five games at an economy of 4.5.

Probable playing XI

Pitch report

The BCA Stadium in Kotambi usually offers a well-balanced surface. It plays true early with good pace and bounce, so batters can play their shots, especially in the powerplay. It slows a little as the game goes on, bringing spinners into the match and making stroke-making harder in the middle overs. In evening games dew can help the ball skid on and often favours chasing sides, but this is an afternoon start. Disciplined bowling and smart batting are both rewarded.

Weather

Warm, dry conditions are expected around the 1:30 pm local start, with mostly clear skies and plenty of sunshine. Temperatures should be about 27–29°C, with little chance of rain, light winds and moderate humidity, so uninterrupted play is likely.

Expected scores

• 1st innings: 280–310
• 2nd innings: 250–280