India vs New Zealand 2019: Numbers to beat in the ODI series

After a historic tour of Down Under, wherein they won both Test and ODI series, the Indian team will look forward to continuing their winning momentum when they tour New Zealand for a 5-match ODI and 3-match T20I series.

The Indian team has always held a slight upper hand over New Zealand when it comes to playing ODI matches. The Men in Blue have won 51 matches compared to 44 won by the Black caps.

Virat Kohli and his men will look to continue their good ODI record against the Kiwis when they take on the hosts in a 5-match ODI series, beginning on 23rd January at the McLean Park in Napier.

Let us take a look at a few of the records that are likely to be broken by the Indian players during the course of the 5-match ODI series against New Zealand.

#7 Rohit Sharma – Third quickest ever to reach 8000 ODI runs

Since being promoted to open in the fifty-overs format during Champions Trophy 2013, the Indian team vice-captain Rohit Sharma has taken his batting to a different level. He is currently one of the best batsmen in shorter formats of the game.

Another record which awaits Rohit when India begins its ODI tour of New Zealand is that he is just 361 runs shy of reaching 8000 runs in ODI cricket.

If Rohit manages to score those 361 runs in the 5-match ODI series against New Zealand, then Rohit would break the record of Indian legend Saurav Ganguly and become the 3rd quickest batsmen to reach 8000 runs in ODI cricket behind only Virat Kohli (183 matches) and AB De Villers (190 matches).

Overall ODI batting stats of Rohit Sharma:

Matches - 196 | Runs - 7639 | AVG - 48.04 | HS - 264

#6 MS Dhoni - Most number of ODI runs in New Zealand by an Indian batsmen

Before the commencement of ODI series Down Under, there were many people who were questioning MS Dhoni's place in the Indian ODI team, as the 37-year-old veteran had a disappointing 2018 with the bat in international cricket.

However, Dhoni silenced all his detractors and critics by winning the Player of The Series Trophy and also ended the 3-match ODI series against Australia as India's leading run scorer.

Having rediscovered his old touch, MS Dhoni will look to continue his good batting form in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. Also, the 5-match ODI series against the Black Caps gives Dhoni a chance to make history as Dhoni requires 197 runs to become the highest run scorer for India in ODIs at New Zealand, a record which is currently held by Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar.

Most number of ODI runs by an Indian batsman in New Zealand:

1. Sachin Tendulkar - 652 runs in 18 matches.

2. Virender Sehwag - 598 runs in 12 matches.

3. MS Dhoni - 456 runs in 10 matches.

#5 Kedar Jadhav - 1000 ODI runs

Having played a crucial role to help Indian team win their first bilateral ODI series in Australia, Kedar Jadhav will once again look to play an important role with both bat and ball in the upcoming limited overs series against New Zealand. He will also look to cement his place in the Indian middle order for ICC World Cup 2019 to be held in England.

Just like MS Dhoni, the ODI series against the New Zealand holds a significant importance for Kedar Jadhav as he needs just 65 runs to reach the milestone of 1000 runs in one-day cricket.

Another milestone which Kedar Jadhav will reach during the limited overs tour of New Zealand is that Jadhav will be making his 50th ODI appearance for the Men in Blue when India take on New Zealand in the 1st ODI at Napier.

Overall ODI batting stats of Kedar Jadhav:

Matches - 49 | Runs - 945 | AVG - 45.00 | HS - 120

#4 Virat Kohli – Most ODI hundreds by an Indian batsman against New Zealand

The one player who is fancied by many cricket experts and fans to break legendary Sachin Tendulkar's batting records is none other than Tendulkar's own countryman Virat Kohli. Hence, Virat Kohli breaking another record might not be surprising to many people.

However, this time around Kohli is on the verge of breaking the record of another Indian legend Virender Sehwag, as Kohli needs to hit just two more centuries to become the Indian batsman with most number of ODI centuries against New Zealand, and considering Kohli's current batting form, it looks very much likely that Kohli will achieve this feat in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.

Most number of ODI runs by an Indian batsman in New Zealand:

1. Virender Sehwag - 6 hundreds.

2. Sachin Tendulkar - 5 hundreds.

3. Virat Kohli - 5 hundreds.

#3 Shikhar Dhawan – Third fastest ever to 5000 ODI runs

Ever since the successful opening duo of Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag fell out of favour in 2013, Shikhar Dhawan along with Rohit Sharma have established themselves as the best openers in shorter formats of the game.

However, Dhawan recently had a poor ODI series against Australia as he could score just 56 runs from 3 matches and will look to bounce back with some good performances in the upcoming limited over series against New Zealand.

Just like other Indian players on this list, the ODI tour of New Zealand offers Dhawan a chance break a record and become the 3rd quickest batsmen ever to reach 5000 runs in ODI cricket just behind Hashim Amla (104 matches), Viv Richards and Virat Kohli (114 matches).

Overall ODI batting stats of Shikhar Dhawan:

Matches - 118 | Runs - 4990 | AVG - 44.95 | HS - 137

#2 Ravindra Jadeja - Third Indian to complete a double of 2000 ODI runs and 150 wickets

Since making his comeback to the Indian ODI team at Asia Cup 2018, Ravindra Jadeja has managed to put up decent performances as an all-rounder and also played a crucial role in helping India win its maiden Test series in Australia.

The upcoming ODI series against New Zealand gives Jadeja a chance to seal his spot in the Indian ODI team for ICC World Cup 2019 and also a chance of completing a double of 2000 runs and 150 wickets in ODI format. If Jadeja manages to reach this milestone, then he will be third Indian cricketer to achieve the feat after Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar.

Overall ODI batting stats of Ravindra Jadeja:

Matches - 147 | Runs - 1990 | AVG - 30.61 | HS - 87

Overall ODI bowling stats of Ravindra Jadeja:

Matches - 147 | Wickets - 171 | AVG - 35.40 | BBW - 5/36

#1 Mohammad Shami - Fastest Indian to reach 100 ODI Wickets

After the completion of ICC World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand, Mohammad Shami has been in and out of Indian ODI setup due to injuries and fitness issues and recently made a comeback to the Indian ODI team for the 3 match series against Australia, which finished a few days back.

In that particular ODI series against Australia, Shami impressed one and all by bowling some tight spells and thereby has almost sealed his place as a 3rd fast bowler in the Indian team for ICC World Cup 2019.

The ODI series against the Blacks Caps is off major importance for Shami, as he is just a wicket short of becoming the quickest Indian bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets, a record which is currently held by Irfan Pathan who reached the milestone of 100 ODI wickets in 59 matches.

Overall ODI bowling stats of Mohammed Shami:

Matches - 55 | Wickets - 99 | AVG - 26.26 | BBW - 4/35