February 05, 2020 
02:00 
New Zealand vs India 1st ODI Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News and Predictions – 05/02/2020
India are looking to keep their winning run going when they clash with New Zealand for the first of three ODIs.
The tourists should be in confident mood following a 5-0 T20 series whitewash. That came after last month’s 2-1 comeback ODI series success against Australia.
However, hosts New Zealand could and probably should have won at least two of the recent T20s between these two sides. They let winning positions slip from their grasp late in games and will want to make amends in this format.
It is also the first time the Black Caps have been in action since their fine run to the World Cup final in England last year.
New Zealand vs India 1st ODI – Match Preview
Where: Seddon Park, Hamilton
When: Wednesday 5th February
Start Time: 07:30 (IST), 02:00 (GMT)
New Zealand vs India 1st ODI – Latest Odds
India are once made the short-priced favourites to continue their dominance in Hamilton. They can be backed at 1.44 (4/9) with bet365 to bag the win.
New Zealand are available at 2.75 (7/4) to start with victory at Seddon Park.
New Zealand vs India 1st ODI – Team News
India will be without opener Rohit Sharma for this series and the Test matches that follow.
He limped out of the final T20 clash with a calf injury and has now been ruled out for the rest of the tour.
He was already standing in as captain in the absence of Virat Kohli. The regular skipper took an injury break but should be available to feature in the first ODI.
If both men didn’t make the starting XI it would leave the visitors needing to find a third captain to step up.
Besides those disruptions, the rest of the line-up looks pretty solid following the winning T20I series. India were even able to rotate their bowling attack to good use.
New Zealand have been hit by the loss of captain Kane Williamson. Like Kohli, he also sat out the final T20 with injury.
It has now been confirmed he will miss the first two ODIs against India, with Mark Chapman coming in to replace him in the squad.
Spinner Ish Sodhi is likely to feature for the Black Caps due to the fact he’s only available for this game before he links up with New Zealand A.
The injury absence of Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry continues to hinder their chances.
They do have wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham back in their ranks. He is due to take the captain’s role in Williamson’s absence.
New Zealand vs India 1st ODI – Betting Tips and Prediction
India are formidable opponents in any form of the game, but their white-ball flair has been ramped up during a run of recent victories.
They showed their ability to dig out unlikely wins in the T20 series and that is an ominous sign for the Black Caps.
However, the home side will be buoyed by how close they got to India at times. The World Cup finalists will back themselves to do better here.
India’s price doesn’t make for a great betting prospect, so it may be worth hunting out some value in the top team batsman markets at Seddon Park.
Jadeja to cause the Black Caps more problems
The Indian all-rounder has been in good form with the ball in hand and can continue to cause the home side issues in Hamilton.
He was last in action in the third T20 at this ground. His contribution that day saw him bag the wicket of Colin Munroe and knock 10 not out with the bat.
Jadeja was also among the wickets in the first and second T20Is.
He is priced at 4.33 (10/3) with bet365 to be India’s top bowler in the first ODI. The visitors could also rely a bit more on his batting in this contest given the disruption to their injured top order.
Anyone who thinks his all-round contribution can come to the fore might be interested in the man of the match market. Jadeja can be backed at 14/1 with bet365 to take that honour.
Rahul the solid choice at the top of the order
With the injury to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also due back after a lay-off, it must be worth siding with KL Rahul to be India’s main man with the bat.
He has been in fine form over the last few months and continued that with 45 in the last T20 between these two sides. He was also named player of the series.
He is available at 4.50 (7/2) with bet365 to be India’s top batsman in the first ODI. While he again faces stiff competition from Kohli at 3.25 (9/4) and Sharma at 3.60 (13/5), his price just looks too tempting once again.
Best Bet: KL Rahul to be India’s top batman at 4.50 (7/2) with bet365
