Ind NZ ODI 2 Preview: India Have it Going for Them, NZ Await McCullum, Vettori's Return

This Indian cricket team may not be at full strength. But considering their opposition, that may not prove to be too much of a hindrance for the second of the India New Zealand ODI series set to get underway at the Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur tomorrow.

virat kohli gautam gambhir in nets

New Zealand have already been delivered a blow in that Daryl Tuffey is going home. Brendon McCullum and New Zealand captain, Daniel Vettori, both suffered stiff backs ahead of the first ODI that was clinched by India after Virat Kohli scored a ton.

New Zealand have to once again find their feet and win the match if they are build a more even contest to the ODI series. While they have been able to hold their own in the Test series unexpectedly, it is their recent ignominy in the ODIs that have left the New Zealand team management extremely concerned.

New Zealand's last ODI series was against Bangladesh where they lost 4-0 to set the cat amongst the pigeons. It will not be easy with the two key members still uncertainty for the second ODI and with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 strong on their agenda. They have already failed to acclimatize to the job in Bangladesh and they certainly would not want to leave India on a low.

There is plenty of talent in the New Zealand cricket team but currently all the weight of the burden seems to be on the shoulders of Ross Taylor. Unless New Zealand come up with a strategy rather than fluke brilliance of one or two of its members, it is hard to see them stopping India from registering a second win on the trot in the series.

For the Indian cricketers, it is their opportunity to continue to impress upon the selectors even as Gautam Gambir completes the first part of his captaincy, having been appointed for the first two ODIs as the Indian captain.