India vs New Zealand: With Virat Kohli out, captain Rohit Sharma on brink of ‘historic first’ against Kiwis
Skipper Virat Kohli might have left the team after India’s victory in the first 3 One-Day Internationals against New Zealand, it’s time for Rohit Sharma to step-up and help the Men in Blue bag a first-ever 4-0 triumph over the hosts in the 52-year history of bilateral cricket between the two teams in the country. India first visited New Zealand back in 1967 but haven’t had a successful tour in the country that saw them return with a series result of 3-0 or more.
Having won the first three matches of the 5-match series, another win for the tourists would mean that it would be the first instance ever that an Indian side will take home the trophy after winning the series with a margin of 3 matches or more. The best result for the Men in Blue in New Zealand in an ODI series so far has been 3-1 in 2008-09 when (a series of 5 matches).
A victory in Hamilton would take the Rohit Sharma-led side 4-0 up in the series and even a defeat in the 5th and final match wouldn’t prevent the tourists from achieving their best-ever result against the Kiwis in their own den.
Kohli’s men have been dominant in the first three ODIs of the series so far, bagging comprehensive wins in all the fixtures. Although a few fringe players are set to be involved in the remaining two matches, the level of performance shouldn’t drop much considering the quality this Indian side has on the roster.
Rohit, named as the stand-in skipper for the remaining two ODIs as well as the 3 T20Is, is edging closer to a personal milestone of his own as he gears up to lead the team in his 200th match in the 50-over format.
Shubman Gill is expected to be included in the playing XI for the 4th ODI as Virat’s replacement while Dhoni will make it to the playing XI at the cost of one batsman between Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik and Ambati Rayudu. A few changes in the bowling department could also be made in the team, with the likes of Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja waiting in the wings.
