Top 5 New Zealand players to watch out for in the upcoming series against India

The Kiwis have arrived in India to take on the hosts in limited overs cricket later this week. The teams will play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20I). The series will begin with an ODI at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

This tour will benefit both the teams in preparing them for their upcoming matches - India is heading for a long South African summer, and New Zealand will host Sri Lanka in December, followed by Pakistan early next year.

This is New Zealand's second tour of India within the last year - they lost the Test series 3-0 and the ODIs 3-2 in September-October 2016. There are no Test matches this time, and the New Zealand team has undergone a face-lift, adding some promising new faces to the squad.

Adapting to the conditions in India will be key to their success. The batting unit is experienced, and Ross Taylor's form will be crucial to the team's performance. The team's pace-bowling has depth too, but the squad might find itself lacking in quality wicket-taking spinners aside from Mitchell Santner.

India is ranked No. 2 in the ODIs, while the Kiwis are the best side in the T20Is. India has been doing consistently well at home - in the recently concluded series against Australia, they thrashed the Aussies in both the Test and ODI matches, and tied the T20Is.

Will the young Kiwi side perish against the best ODI team in the world or will they give them a good fight? New Zealand announced its squad on 14th October, and here are the top five players to watch out for:

Kane Williamson

The skipper is undoubtedly one of the most consistent performers on the New Zealand team. Though his ODI average of 35 in India trails well behind his overall ODI average of nearly 47, he is likely to pose a threat to the Indian bowlers.

Getting him out early would be essential as he is capable, if the need arises, of taking the team to victory single-handedly.

Mitchell Santner

Santner will be in his element on the spinning tracks in India

This left-arm orthodox spinner will be dangerous on the spin-friendly tracks in India. His record in ODIs vs India hasn’t been impressive, but his performance of 4/11 vs India in the T20 World Cup in 2016 speaks for itself.

This all-rounder's form will be pivotal to New Zealand’s success in the series, and he can be expected to exploit the spinning tracks against the Indian batsmen.

Martin Guptill

The explosive hard-hitter could prove to be dangerous if not outed early

This flamboyant opener is a strong performer in limited overs cricket, especially in 50-over matches. He averages 43 in ODIs but is yet to make a mark against India. He has a high score of 237* in ODIs, which he notched against the West Indies in the 2015 World Cup.

Given his talent, this could well be his series, and the Indian bowlers need to keep him in check by bowling tight deliveries from the get-go.

Trent Boult

Boult can make things tricky for the Indian batsmen

This left-arm opening pacer has been a threat to batsmen all around the world. His ability to swing the ball both ways makes it difficult for batsmen to play freely. Sharing the new ball with Tim Southee, his stints with the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders will come in handy.

If he hits top form, the impressively consistent Indian top-order will be in for an interesting challenge.

Colin de Grandhomme

This talented all-rounder is making his debut in India

This Zimbabwe-born all-rounder has impressed everyone with his skills with both the bat and the ball. This is his first tour of the sub-continent, and it will be entertaining to watch him go against the formidable Indian team.

Can the Kiwis beat the hosts on their turf? We need to wait and watch. Given that all the matches are all limited overs, it sure is going to be a compelling series!