India v New Zealand, 1st ODI, Dharamsala: History favours India in bilateral contests
NEW DELHI: After India's 3-0 sweep of New Zealand in the Test series, the focus shifts to ODI cricket with the first of five matches being held at Dharmsala's HPCA Stadium on Sunday. For India, MS Dhoni returns to lead while Kane Williamson, New Zealand's skipper, has the unenvious task of trying to rally his team following three Test losses. Statistically, things are not stacked in New Zealand's favour.
While in multi-team tournaments their record on Indian soil is 18-11, the bigger picture is that New Zealand have never won a bilateral ODI series in India. The four series contested between the two teams - in 1988, 1995, 1999 and 2010 - were each won by the home team. The first of these was a 4-0 win for Dilip Vengsarkar's team over John Wright's tourists, following India's 2-1 victory in the Tests. India won by four wickets, five wickets, 53 runs and two wickets before the fifth match in Jammu was abandoned due to heavy rain.
In 1995, Mohammad Azharuddin's Indian team won 3-2. New Zealand took the series lead in Jamshedpur with Martin Crowe scoring an unbeaten hundred, but India won the second and fourth matches - the third was abandoned - to take the advantage back. Lee Germon's team made it 2-2 with a 99-run win in Nagpur, setting up the decider nicely. The sixth ODI was a one-sided affair, with New Zealand bowled out for 126 in 135 overs and India cantering home with six wickets and 108 deliveries remaining.
Four years later, the scoreline was again 3-2 to India, this time led by Sachin Tendulkar. This was the series in which Tendulkar and Dravid etched their names into ODI cricket's record books with a mammoth partnership that until last year stood unchallenged. In the second match in Hyderabad, Tendulkar (186*) and Dravid (153) put on 331 for the second wicket to set up a total of 376/2, which meant victory for India by 174 runs. Like in 1995, the series was locked at 2-2 heading into the last game. India, once again, kept New Zealand for a low score (179/9) and won with ease - by seven wickets.
Four years later, the scoreline was again 3-2 to India, this time led by Sachin Tendulkar. This was the series in which Tendulkar and Dravid etched their names into ODI cricket's record books with a mammoth partnership that until last year stood unchallenged. In the second match in Hyderabad, Tendulkar (186*) and Dravid (153) put on 331 for the second wicket to set up a total of 376/2, which meant victory for India by 174 runs. Like in 1995, the series was locked at 2-2 heading into the last game. India, once again, kept New Zealand for a low score (179/9) and won with ease - by seven wickets.
In 2010, an Indian team missing a few regular players and led by Gautam Gambhir whitewashed New Zealand 5-0. The closest that Ross Taylor's touring side came to winning was in the fourth ODI in Bangalore, where they made 315/7 and had India 108/4, only for Yusuf Pathan to hit an unbeaten 123 from 96 balls to help fashion victory by five wickets. The other matches were won by 40 runs, eight wickets, nine wickets and eight wickets.
Will Williamson's team - ranked third in ODI cricket - be able to buck the trend against India in bilateral? Or will Dhoni's India - one place behind in the rankings - make it five series wins over New Zealand?
Will Williamson's team - ranked third in ODI cricket - be able to buck the trend against India in bilateral? Or will Dhoni's India - one place behind in the rankings - make it five series wins over New Zealand?
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