New Zealand's Predicted Playing XI for the 4th ODI against India

Before the commencement of the 5-match ODI series between India and New Zealand, a lot of fans expected the home side to give the Indian team a run for their money. However, the Kiwis have been bulldozed by the visitors in the first 3 ODIs and India have already sealed the series by taking an unassailable lead of 3-0.

They won the first ODI by 8 wickets, the second ODI by 90 runs and the third game by a margin of 7 wickets. The results indicate that the series has been lopsided thus far but with the Indian captain Virat Kohli rested for the remaining fixtures, New Zealand will be aiming to gather some momentum heading into the T20 series.

Here's what the home side's playing XI for the 4th ODI scheduled to take place tomorrow might look like:

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Openers - Martin Guptill and Colin Munro

New Zealand's opening pair has failed miserably in this series

The opening combination of Colin Munro and Martin Guptill is believed to be one of the best opening pair of the modern era. But the two Kiwi batsmen have failed to perform well against the Indian pacers despite playing in home conditions. In the 3rd ODI, Guptill scored 13 runs off 15 balls while Munro could only manage to add 7 runs to the team's total.

Given that the World Cup is approaching soon, the New Zealand selectors would not be thinking of changing the opening pair and would give Guptill and Munro some time to return to form.

Also, New Zealand does not have any substitute openers in their squad, although Kane Williamson can open the innings, but that may tinker the entire batting order. So, Munro and Guptill should open the innings for NZ in the 4th ODI.

Middle Order - Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham

New Zealand v India

Skipper Kane Williamson waged a one-man battle against the Indian team in the first ODI and did not get support from the other end as his innings of 64 runs went in vain.

However, the captain of the home team has not been able to hit a half-century in the series after that and has struggled to convert his starts into big scores. He would be aiming to return to form in the 4th ODI.

Ross Taylor played a patient innings of 93 runs off 106 balls in the 3rd ODI and once again proved why he is the best New Zealand batsman at the moment. His innings helped the Kiwis post a total of 243 in the 3rd ODI and so, expect him to retain his place in the 4th ODI.

Tom Latham supported Ross Taylor's innings with a half-century in the third match, but the left-handed batsman would be keen to improve his strike-rate in the 4th ODI.

All Rounders - Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner and Todd Astle

New Zealand will try to include both the new arrivals in the playing XI

New Zealand team made two changes to their ODI squad for the 4th and 5th one-dayers. They replaced Doug Bracewell and Ish Sodhi will all-rounders Jimmy Neesham and Todd Astle.

While Neesham is known to be a big-hitter of the ball, he can also chip in with important wickets in the middle overs with his medium pace. Jimmy has represented New Zealand in 44 ODIs and has scalped 40 wickets, along with scoring 934 runs.

The home team will most probably also bring in the second new arrival, Todd Astle, in the team in place of Ish Sodhi. Astle, just like Sodhi is a leg break bowler and so he will serve as a like for like replacement in the team. Todd can even bat well and so, will provide extra utility to his team.

Mitchell Santner will most likely retain his place because there are no other talented spinners in the New Zealand squad and so, the left-arm spinner will most probably be in action in the 4th ODI.

Fast Bowlers - Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Matt Henry

New Zealand v India

New Zealand used Lockie Ferguson and Doug Bracewell as the supporting pacers to spearhead Trent Boult, but the two failed to trouble the Indian batsmen as Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli totally dominated them in the first three matches.

With Tim Southee and Mark Henry in the squad, Kane Williamson would be looking to have the duo in the playing XI for the remaining two matches.

Tim Southee possesses the ability to bowl at perfect line and lengths consistently while Matt Henry's raw pace can trouble the Indian batsmen.

This trio of New Zealand pacers has the potential to restrict the Indian batting line-up, and if the home side wishes to salvage some pride in the 4th match, they should include this trio in the playing XI.