NZ vs IND 2019: Why is it difficult for India to win the series

#2 Untested middle order

Vijay Shankar had a good outing against New Zealand A.

India's middle order has been tested rarely since the top 3 was doing the job perfectly, almost all the matches. The last time India toured New Zealand, in 2014, the ODI series went 4-0 in favour of New Zealand with one match held on a tie. In the recently concluded 3-match ODI home series against Srilanka, which they won 3-0, Kiwis got Sri Lanka all out in every match. At home, New Zealand's bowling has enough firepower to run through any batting line-up. Without the contribution of the middle order, India cannot fancy their chances of winning the ODIs. Dhoni is a default choice while the remaining slots will be filled from Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar and Kedar Jadhav. Kedar Jadhav and Vijay Shankar may come in handy as the 6th bowling option.

Taylor is the leading run scorer for New Zealand in 2018 averaging 91.28.

New Zealand middle order is well settled with Ross Taylor batting at No 4, followed by Tom Latham at 5 and Henry Nicholls at 6. Taylor has scored 4 fifties and 1 century in his last 5 ODI innings. Latham can keep one end safe while Nicholls has proved his ability to accelerate according to the situations.