5 reasons why New Zealand can be a tougher opponent than Australia

#1 Full strength bowling attack

Boult and Southee are among the best new-ball pairs in the world

Tim Southee and Trent Boult have been spearheading the Kiwis' pace battery together for almost four years now and form one of the best new-ball pairs in the world, in all formats. With quality pace and swing up their sleeves, they would provide a tough challenge to the Indian top three.

Boult, being a left-arm pacer, can cause a lot of trouble to the Indian batsmen because of his natural angle, which allows the ball to come into the right-hander. India's weakness against left-arm pacers has been repeatedly exposed, recently against Behrendorff, and also against Mohammad Amir in the Champions Trophy final.

More importantly, the Kiwis' pace bowling arsenal is not made up of only two names. They have quality bowlers in Adam Milne and Matt Henry as well. Matt Henry, especially, troubled the Indians a lot on NZ's last India tour.

With a settled, well balanced, full strength and experienced side in a short series, New Zealand might just be the team which can upset India at home. Even if they don't, one can rely on them to give India a much tougher fight.