India kicked off the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand with a 12-run triumph. After the win in the first ODI in Hyderabad, India will now look to beat the Black Caps in Raipur and take an unassailable lead of 2-0. In the previous game, the visitors displayed spunk while chasing a colossal target of 350.

While the bowling attack of the hosts came across as frail, to compete well in the second ODI, India will endeavour to improve their bowling as they avoided a close scare in the last fixture.

Noting New Zealand's performance in the first game, the second ODI won't be a piece of cake for Rohit Sharma and his men. On the other hand, the Black Caps will be filled with confidence despite facing a loss as they fought valiantly. For both teams, there are some faces who will be key to winning the 2nd ODI on January 21.\

Kuldeep Yadav looked amazing in the first ODI against New Zealand as he took a couple of scalps and gave 43 runs in eight overs at an economy of 5.37. With the wickets of the key batters Henry Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell, he played a crucial role in decimating the top order of the Black Caps.

Previously, in the ODI series against Sri Lanka as well, he snared five wickets in two matches at an economy of 4.46. After Yuzvendra Chahal’s disappointing bowling display in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, the team showed faith in Kuldeep to lead the spin attack. So far, he has done his job excellently in the absence of Chahal, and in the second ODI, he will look to continue his form.  

In the crucial match in Raipur, his role will be important as India will look to outplay the opponents and seal the series. Till now, he has claimed 13 wickets against New Zealand in seven ODI matches at an economy of 5.54. In this series, he will look to make his record better against the Kiwis. 

In recent ODI games, Devon Conway has exuded confidence as he has been successful in delivering fine starts to his team. In the recently concluded ODI series against Pakistan, he showed class and helped his team to hammer the hosts. With 153 runs in three ODI games at a strike rate of 96.83, he did his job perfectly as an opening batter.

However, he didn’t look good in the first ODI against the Men in Blue as he got dismissed scoring only 10 runs off 16 balls. Chasing the humongous target of 350, he had the responsibility to deliver a fine start to the team but failed to do that.

In the do-or-die game in Raipur, he will have to showcase his batting skills again and save the series for his team. In Kane Williamson’s absence, Conway is one of the prime batters in the top order, and to win this series, he has to step up in the remaining matches. This year, he has scored 163 runs in four ODI games at a strike rate of 93.67.

In the ODI series against Sri Lanka, Rohit Sharma regained his form as he notched up 142 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 103.64. Since that series, Sharma has looked in good touch as he has aggregated 176 runs in four matches this year at a strike rate of 100.57. In the last game, he delivered a decent start to the team with Shubman Gill but couldn't score big.

The Indian skipper went back to the pavilion at a score of 34 runs off 38 deliveries. In the second match of the competition, the right-handed batter will be expected to be in his elements and help India secure the series.

Rohit's last ODI century came in January 2019 against Australia in Bengaluru. In the Raipur ODI, he will look forward to ending his century drought and winning the match for India in style.

Michael Bracewell played the best innings of his ODI career as he smashed 140 runs off just 78 balls. His knock will be considered one of the best in ODI history as it came at a time when New Zealand were heading towards an embarrassing defeat. Chasing a total of 350, the Kiwis were down in the game at a score of 131/6.

However, Bracewell utilised the situation as an opportunity and slammed a 57-ball hundred. He also stitched a 162-run partnership with Mitchell Santner and gave a headache to the Indian bowlers. After the impressive ton he took the game close. In the end, he couldn’t win it for the team but received appreciation for his hard-fought innings.

Going through his current form, his skipper Tom Latham and the team management will expect him to play another explosive knock and also contribute with the ball and help in levelling the series. India will be wary of the all-rounder ahead of the upcoming fixture given how he fared in the last game.

This year has been amazing for Shubman Gill as he slammed the second century this year. In the first ODI, the youngster scripted history as he became the eighth batter to rack up a double ton in ODIs. With his solid knock of 208 runs off 149 deliveries, India posted 349/8, which later became a difficult target for New Zealand to achieve.

In the Sri Lanka series as well, he was at his absolute best as he amassed 207 runs in three ODI matches at a stellar strike rate of 122.48. In the last two ODI contests, he dominated the bowlers by smashing two centuries. In the second ODI, he will be expected to take the Kiwi bowlers to the cleaners yet again.

This year, Gill is in scintillating form with 415 runs in four ODI matches at an outstanding strike rate of 130.50. Before the Sri Lanka series, skipper Rohit Sharma decided to prefer Gill over Ishan Kishan due to his incredible talent and in the last game, he proved his captain right with his historic innings.  

(With inputs from agencies)