FANTASY
Follow UsAfter a disastrous T20I series for the hosts, they got off the mark after chasing down a monumental target of 348 runs in the first ODI. A high scoring match implies a lot of fantasy points up for grabs. As another high scoring venue awaits the two teams, we are here to answer all your questions and help you build your fantasy team for the second ODI between New Zealand and India in Auckland.
Before we start our analysis for the second ODI, let us revisit how our predictions fared in the first ODI. The Fantasy Research tab on cricket.com provides you six expert teams to choose from. In the first ODI, the Aggressive team 1 ended in the top 2% of the Rumble25 league on FanFight that helped earn 8-20 times the money invested.
Continuing the recent trend, the Indian team lost the first match of a 3-match ODI series to set-up a challenging comeback in the remaining two matches. The second ODI will be played at Eden Park in Auckland, the venue of the first two T20Is, the only ones that India won quite comprehensively.
Overall, India and New Zealand have faced each other in 107 ODIs. India have come out on top in 55 while 47 have ended in New Zealand’s favour. There is very little to choose from as per the latest head to head record between the two sides. New Zealand have a slight edge by winning three of the last five ODIs between the sides while India have three wins in the last five ODIs played between the two sides in New Zealand.
Weather Condition and Pitch Stats
It is expected to be humid with clouds on match day in Auckland but with no chances of rain. The temperature is expected to hover around the 17 to 24-degree range throughout the day.
Eden Park has hosted four ODIs since the start of 2016. While a majority of the venues in New Zealand are high scoring, Eden Park has observed the lowest balls per wicket among all the venues. On an average, a wicket has fallen here every 29.6 deliveries. At least one side has ended up losing all its wickets in the four games here since 2016. Hence it is advisable to fill your squad with adequate bowlers and all-rounders for this match.
Team Combination
On the bowling front, spinners have enjoyed this venue more than the pacers. While the spinners have picked up a wicket every 21.6 balls since January 2016 here, the pacers have a strike rate of 34.9. Hence it is advisable to prioritize picking a spinner over pacer when in doubt for this game.
Team Combination
On the bowling front, spinners have enjoyed this venue more than the pacers. While the spinners have picked up a wicket every 21.6 balls since January 2016 here, the pacers have a strike rate of 34.9. Hence it is advisable to prioritize picking a spinner over pacer when in doubt for this game.
Diving into the different bowler types, left-arm orthodox spinners have ruled the roost here. They have picked a wicket every 17.3 balls since 2016. Mitchell Santner has the highest bowling strike-rate for New Zealand at this venue since 2016 and hence should be a must pick. For India, Ravindra Jadeja will get ample assistance from the pitch at Eden Park.
Among other bowlers, Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav have the best numbers from all the bowlers in both squads. In a scenario when Kuldeep is dropped due to a bad outing in Hamilton, Yuzvendra Chahal should be the replacement in the squad and your fantasy XI.
Among the batsmen, the inform KL Rahul should be selected over Tom Latham as the wicket-keeper choice. Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls should be selected due to their high batting average of 48.8 and 34.1 against India since 2016 respectively.
A combination of six frontline batsmen including the wicket-keeper, two all-rounders and three bowlers could be the way to go for this game.
Captain Selection
True to his potential, KL Rahul has finally hit the purple patch. In the form of his life currently, Rahul has scored 806 runs at an average of 53.7 in ODIs since 2019. Given his recent exploits, he is the safest bet to be the captain of your fantasy XI. In addition to the runs he scores, one cannot discount the extra points he will help you earn through his dismissals as a wicket-keeper.
X-Factors
Our first x-factor, Ross Taylor guided his team to victory in the first ODI. The New Zealand veteran has enjoyed a lot of success in ODI since 2019. He has scored 1052 runs at an average of 61.9. Moreover, he enjoys India’s bowling line-up and has scored at an average of 48.8 since 2016.
Our second X-factor is Virat Kohli. Judging from the standards that he has set for himself, the Indian skipper has had a moderate tour of New Zealand so far. Keeping in mind the importance of the second ODI, one can be assured that Kohli will be switched on and will leave no stone unturned to help his team to a victory.
Eden Park has been a happy hunting ground for Mitchell Santner. With 17.3 balls per wicket, he enjoys the best strike-rate among all New Zealand bowlers here. He has also added 76 crucial runs lower down the order at this venue at an impressive average of 38. Being a good fielder, he finds himself at positions where the chances of receiving a catch is high. Hence, he should find a place in your fantasy XI.
Here is our fantasy team for the upcoming encounter between India and New Zealand:
KL Rahul (c), Ross Taylor (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Henry Nicholls, Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav/Yuzvendra Chahal, Hamish Bennett/Scott Kuggeleijn/Kyle Jamiesson
