KEY CLASHES

Battles between individuals will eventually shape the result of the war. A look at the interesting duels that are likely to light up this series...

KANE WILLIAMSON V VIRAT KOHLI

It’s the clash everyone is looking forward to. They are the captains and are rated the best batsmen of their era along with Joe Root and Steve Smith, and bat at No 3 as well. But when it comes to one-day cricket, Kohli is head and shoulders above everyone. In terms of hundreds, Williamson is far behind, but his average of 46.98 is decent. However, Kohli is way ahead with an average of 55.13.

YUZVENDRA CHAHAL V ROSS TAYLOR

It’s an inexperienced middle-order for New Zealand. Negotiating the Indian spinners will be a challenge and the pressure will be on the 33-year-old Ross Taylor to hold the innings together. How Taylor tackles leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal could hold the key. Chahal is developing a tendency to target the opposition’s key batsman -- taking out Glenn Maxwell five times out of five against Australia.

JASPRIT BUMRAH V MARTIN GUPTILL

Martin Guptill, who boasts of the second highest score in one-day cricket (237*), scores quickly and needs to be removed early. He will be keen to make amends for his below-par showing in the last series here, when he got only one half-century. India’s strike bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, needs to get him out early.

ROHIT SHARMA V TRENT BOULT

One of the most devastating one-day batsmen, Rohit Sharma is in the best form of his career, averaging 76, 75.50 and 59.20 in his last three series. For New Zealand, as Rohit himself pointed out, left-arm pacer Trent Boult has warmed up nicely for the contest, claiming 5/38 in the first warmup. Boult had got Rohit out twice in the last series.

HARDIK PANDYA V MITCHELL SANTNER

Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner was among NZ’s most economical bowlers in the last series here, not conceding more than 50 runs in any of the matches. For India, Hardik Pandya has emerged as a weapon to target spin bowling during middle overs. Pandya went after Australian leggie Adam Zampa and may target Santner too.