India v New Zealand first ODI tips: Hitman Sharma to hurt Kiwis

• India hot favourites for first ODI

• New Zealand depleted
• venue may suit side batting first
• Rohit and Mitchell to deliver
• Ed has a Betfair Exchange trade angles

India v New Zealand
Sunday January 11, 08.00
TV: Live on TNT

India v New Zealand first ODI team news

India welcome back vice-captain Shreyas Iyer after an injury lay-off. He slots straight back into the middle-order of a batting line-up which is strong with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in their best format.

There is no Hardik Pandya or Jasprit Bumrah but the hosts are well-stocked for all-rounders and pace respectively. Washington Sundar and Ravi Jadeja cover the former while India have been keen on the trio of Harshit-Arshdeep-Prasidh for some time. Mohammad Siraj is another option.

Possible India XI: Rohit, Gill, Kohli, Iyer, Rahul, Jadeja, Sundar, Kuldeep, Harshit, Arshdeep, Prasidh

New Zealand are severely depleted for this series and it is not an overreaction to call this a reserve team. There is no Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Mitch Santner or Matt Henry.

The good news is that Glenn Phillips is back after a long absence. One of the best pound-for-pound players across the formats, Phillips will need to hit the ground running. The Kiwis are hugely reliant on Phillips, Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell.

Aditya Ashok, the leggie, may play his third ODI. Right-arm pacer Michael Rae should make his debut. He is potent but potentially profligate.

Possible New Zealand XI: Conway, Kelly, Young, Mitchell, Nicholls, Phillips, Bracewell, Foulkes, Jamieson, Rae, Ashok

India v New Zealand first ODI pitch report

The Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara hosts its first international game. There is nothing more frustrating for gamblers than a paucity of data to go on for the pitch, which is crucial in trying to find an angle. A trawl through domestic cricket does give a hint, but whether the study sample is great enough adds to the feeling of risk.

There were six domestic 50-over matches played at the venue in 2024-25. Four of those were won by the side batting first and unders 275.5 in the first dig came up in four. In women's matches there has been suggestions that the ball hoops under lights. 

India v New Zealand first ODI match prediction

India are 1.171/6 for victory with the Kiwis out at 6.806/1. The odds reflect India's dominance at home and new Zealand's under strength side.

Although understandable, a case could probably be made for India being a little skinny. But we would have to be right about a bias for the side batting first. New Zealand can probably only be considered with that in their favour.

Often underestimated in terms of ability, they usually produce cricketers of nous and fight. And we don't expect them to give a quarter. Therefore it's not the worst idea to trade them batting first to take four points out of their price. 

India v New Zealand first ODI player bets

With a 41% win rate in the last two years Rohit Sharma is significantly underrated for top India bat at 7/24.50. it is a no brainer to get involved with that price, particularly as market favourite Virat Kohli comes in at 18%.

For the Kiwis, Mitchell is hugely important. He has an excellent record in Asia and is the fair fav at 10/34.33. Although his win rate is at 23% we make a rare exception because there is little to beat here. 

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