After their comprehensive win in the Test series, India will be hoping for a repeat performance when they take on New Zealand in the 5 match ODI series starting at Dharamsala on the 16th of October. The remaining 4 ODIs will be played at Delhi, Mohali, Ranchi and Visakhapatnam on 20th, 23rd, 26th and 29th October respectively. The Indian team are firm favourites given their current form and pedigree and some members of the New Zealand squad will be suffering from a hangover of the Test series. However, the ODI format is known for its unpredictability and New Zealand cannot be counted out. They reached the Final of the ODI World Cup in Australia in 2015, playing an enterprising brand of cricket.

Overall, the two teams have played 93 ODIs with India winning 46, New Zealand winning 41, 1 tie and 5 no results. In India the teams have played 27 ODIs with India winning 21, New Zealand 5 and 1 being a no result. In bilateral ODI series between the 2 teams on Indian soil, India have won 15 and New Zealand have won 4 out of the 19 ODIs. The teams have played 4 bilateral ODI series on Indian soil and India have emerged victorious on all 4 occasions.

Here are some stats highlights between the two countries on Indian soil

Sachin Tendulkar has played the most matches for India between the two teams with 16 while Stephen Fleming has played the most for New Zealand with 15.

Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most aggregate runs for India with 821, while Nathan Astle has scored the most for New Zealand with 526.

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the highest individual score with 186 not out at Hyderabad in November 1999 while Nathan Astle has scored the highest for New Zealand with 120 runs at Rajkot in November 1999.

Anil Kumble has taken the most aggregate wickets for India with 16 scalps to his name while Chris Cairns has taken the most for New Zealand with 11 wickets.

The best bowling figures in an innings for India are 5/27 by Krishnamachari Srikkanth at Visakhapatnam in December 1988. The best bowling figures in an innings for New Zealand are 4/62 by Andy Mckay at Guwahati in November 2010.

The highest score by India is 376/2 at Hyderabad in November 1999 while the highest score by New Zealand is 349/9 at Rajkot in November 1999.

If India play anywhere close to potential then they should win the series but as the saying goes cricket is a funny game and they should guard against complacency and underestimating the Kiwis. India have rested their front line spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja keeping in mind the long season ahead. Mohammed Shami has also been given a break. India’s squad has only been announced for the first 3 ODIs and some players could be recalled for the last 2 ODIs depending on how the team fares. Tim Southee is available for the ODI Series after missing the Test series due to injury and his presence makes New Zealand a better side.

All fans will be hoping for an exciting and enthralling series.