“It’s time that we work on a lot on the batting, especially batting lower down the order and in both Tests the partnerships down the order have made a difference.�?/span>

Virat Kohli said at the end of the Christchurch Test match, the second in the last fortnight that India lost to concede the series 0-2 to New Zealand. The Indian skipper was referring to the 51-run stand between Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner at Christchurch and the 71-run partnership between Colin de Grandhomme and Kyle Jamieson at Wellington.

Both times, the lower-order first innings stands played a big role in the outcome of the Test matches as Virat Kohli emphasized. It may not be identified as the sole factor that decided the series like India's top-order issues or lack of bowling incision, but it will remain a pivotal moment in both the matches when analysed deep. 

India's woes with their tail and in finishing off the opposition's tail - particularly in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) countries - is no new fable. It's an old tale re-told several times with the narrative barely moving an inch here or there.

Read | Are non-strikers scared to say no to Virat Kohli's obsessive reviewing?

Sam Curran, Pat Cummins, Adil Rashid, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Starc, Keshav Maharaj and even Trent Boult has had success against India in the lower-order in India's overseas tours since 2018. On the other hand, India's own lower-order (positions 8-11), that averages 25.9 in home Test matches since 2018, averages 16.47 in overseas Test matches in SENA countries in this time frame.

India's lower-order once again failed to step up in New Zealand this series even as the hosts found runs from their lower-order batsmen.

Runs added after the fall of 5th wkt by India this series

• Wellington, 1st innings: 64 (101/5 to 164)
• Wellington, 2nd innings: 43 (148/5 to 191)
• Christchurch, 1st innings: 48 (194/5 to 242)
• Christchurch, 2nd innings: 40 (84/5 to 124)

Runs added after the fall of 5th wkt by New Zealand this series

• Wellington, 1st innings: 141 (207/5 to 348)
• Christchurch, 1st innings: 102 (133/5 to 235)

Since 2018, India's last four wickets (7-10 partnerships) have made 1689 runs in SENA countries in partnerships in 14 Test matches at an average of 17.41. On the other hand, the opposition (SENA teams alone) tail has had more fruitful partnerships. Their wickets 7-10 have added 2027 runs in these Test matches at an average of 22.27. Considering the number of games, that is almost 24 extra runs per Test added by the opposition tail. 

Read | It's not us against you, Virat Kohli

Of India's batsmen at positions 7-11 in Tests in SENA since 2018, only Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja have fared well with averages of 40.78 and 42.8. These two barely scored in this series (Jadeja in the lone Test) as India struggled to find enough runs from the lower-order.

While it remains a sidekick to India's more glaring flaws exposed on this tour, moments like these decide Test matches and the fact that New Zealand's last five wickets added 100-plus runs in the first innings of both Tests did play a major role in the final outcome.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Peter Parks

After the humiliation suffered at Basin Reserve, India would be hoping to bounce back and square things at Hagley Oval when they face New Zealand in the second Test of the series. What they will also have to contend with now is the fact that Neil Wagner would be back in the side and that the Kiwis might field an all-pace attack for the green pitch at Hagley Oval. The match begins at 04:00 HRS IST and will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network and live streaming will be available on Hotstar. Catch all the action on our live blog.

Another major test for India before the second game is concern surrounding Ishant Sharma’s availability (he has yet again suffered an ankle injury and is likely to miss the second Test). With five wickets in the first innings of the first Test, he was by all means India’s standout performer with the ball. In turn, it is said that Umesh Yadav will be given the nod. 

Missing Ishant Sharma on what promises to be a quicker track than Wellington deals a body blow to the Indian bowling attack. In these challenging times, India would be hoping that the skipper finally comes up with a good knock to offset his poor run of form with the bat in the first Test (and the tour in general).

Squads:

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (C), Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (WK), Tom Latham (WK), BJ Watling (WK), Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry 

India: Virat Kohli (C), Mayank Agrawal, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Navdeep Saini, Ishant Sharma

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Marty Melville

New Zealand resumed their terrific home record with a win against the no.1 ranked Test side, India, at Wellington in the first Test of the series. The Black Caps were without Neil Wagner, their most successful bowler in Tests since the beginning of 2019, who was attending to his wife's delivery. 

6"8' tall Kyle Jamieson stepped up in Wagner's absence and dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Hanuma Vihari among his four wickets to grab headlines and then made a game-changing contribution with the bat. Such was Jamieson's impact that omitting him from the side for Christchurch does not even seem to be an option.

But Neil Wagner is returning and New Zealand have no place for their best ever pacer since 2019. Trent Boult and Tim Southee are legends in their own right, Jamieson is in form, Colin de Grandhomme adds value across disciplines and Ajaz Patel is the lone spinner in the side. So where does Wagner fit into the scheme of things?

Read | The Cheteshwar Pujara no-show in New Zealand and the intent question

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead isn't certain about how the Black Caps will accommodate Wagner in their XI, but is sure that the left-arm seamer is a no-brainer in the team for the next Test.

"That's always good selection dilemmas to have," Stead had said on Tuesday. "Neil Wagner will come back and he's been a force in our team for a long time, and obviously Kyle Jamieson made the most of his debut, and the way he played, I thought, was outstanding as well, did a really good job for us. But I think Neil Wagner, it was pretty hard missing one Test let alone two Tests, so no, he'll be back with us without a doubt."

If Wagner returns, New Zealand will either have to go all-pace by dropping Ajaz Patel who bowled just six overs in the Wellington Test or sit out Jamieson or De Grandhomme. 

The second option isn't quite feasible considering Jamieson had a great performance on debut and de Grandhomme, despite taking just one wicket, was economical and contributes with the bat too. The next option is sitting out the spinner for the Christchurch Test.

Ajaz bowled just six overs at Wellington, but if India had survived for longer on day four, the left-arm spinner might have played a role as Stead pointed out.

Read | It's not us against you, Virat Kohli

"If the Test went the full distance, or even deep into the fourth day, you'd think that Ajaz would have taken a much bigger part than what he did, but it wasn't to be because our seam bowlers were so good in this Test match," Stead said.

But there's statistical evidence to suggest Patel can be sat out for Christchurch. Since 2019, spinners have taken just 15 wickets in New Zealand. Pace bowlers have 116 wickets in this time frame in the country. Since 2018, pacers have 222 wickets and spinners just 28. Of these 28 wickets, just seven are by New Zealand spinners. 

The Black Caps spinners average 68 in home Test matches and pick wickets every 160 balls in a Test match. Given the numbers, it is a decent suggestion to sit Ajaz out for Wagner at Christchurch.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Jeremy NG

"We know we haven’t played well but if people want to make a big deal out of it, make a mountain out of it, we can’t help it as we don’t think like that."

Indian skipper Virat Kohli commented at the post-match media interaction after the visitors suffered a 10-wicket loss at Wellington. 

Read | Virat Kohli slips to 10th spot in ICC T20I rankings

Let's put this comment into perspective by analysing his follow up statements. 

"For some people, it might be the end of the world but it’s not. For us, it’s a game of cricket that we lost and we move on and keep our heads high."

It's definitely not the end of the world, but if the captain of the world's no.1 Test side thinks this is no big deal and that it can be dismissed as just "a game of cricket", he is certainly delusional. 

Read | Could it just be that Jasprit Bumrah is overrated in ODIs?

The Ravi Shastri - Virat Kohli reign has been characterized by a pretty evident 'us vs you' attitude. Right from the overseas tour of South Africa, the Indian management has attacked the media which has questioned their performances away from home. 

The same management that feels this loss is no big deal had called the Test series triumph in Australia massive and hailed this as one of the best Indian touring sides. It must be remembered that the series triumph in Australia came with David Warner and Steven Smith - two of the strongest batsmen in the Aussie line-up - absent. 

Read | Are India the new chokers in ICC tournaments?

A look at Kohli's captaincy record in SENA countries paints a different picture. Out of 15 Test matches, India have won just four and lost nine games. This includes series losses in England, South Africa and Australia. The only series win has come in Australia.

The series in New Zealand is now either lost or drawn with the hosts winning the first Test. The fact remains that despite being the no.1 Test side, India have largely underperformed in SENA countries. 

Read | New Zealand vs India: Major takeaways for India from ODI series loss

It isn't just Kohli's India or India alone that face criticism or backlash when there's a loss. As the skipper of the no.1 side in the world, Kohli is expected to raise the standards the team sets and not push aside any criticism that comes their way by biting back. 

The sheer complacency in his statements is unmissable and if after four successive losses - three in the ODIs and now in the first Test - isn't enough reason for this to be a big deal, Kohli needs to redefine his idea of what constitutes a big deal. That he takes every criticism in an 'us vs you' fashion does not augur well for team India. 

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Marty Melville

Cheteshwar Pujara has batted six times in New Zealand in Test cricket. Except once, he has faced more than 40 balls on each occasion. But his tally of runs is a disappointing 82 with a highest score of 23. India's no. 3 batsman averages a pathetic 13.66 in New Zealand, his worst in any country in Test cricket. 

On Sunday at Basin Reserve, the Saurashtra middle-order batsman seemed determined to overturn his record. He took 75 balls to go past single digits and appeared to bat time, a method justified given the size of the lead the Kiwis had built courtesy Kyle Jamieson and Colin de Grandhomme's late show. 

The Kiwis had a whopping lead of 183 in the first innings after their innings. The only instance of a side losing in the country after a 150-plus lead in the first innings was way back in 2003 when New Zealand lost to Pakistan by seven wickets after taking a 170-run lead. 

What is the point Pujara playing 81 balls for 11 runs, and you know one good ball is all you need, disappointing, maybe Pujara is good to play at 6 when the team is in trouble rather than playing at 3 and pushing INDIA back with his strike rate #NZvIND

�?Shiva (@shivabelieves) February 23, 2020

Read | New Zealand vs India: Major takeaways for India from ODI series loss

In their last 16 home games, New Zealand had won nine and lost just one. They know the conditions on offer and thrive. India had their backs against the wall despite the great start to the day they had with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing the dangerous BJ Watling. The lead was humungous and Prithvi Shaw was dismissed shortly after India started their second innings.

The situation demanded a Pujara blockathon and for 75 balls, he resisted everything the Kiwi bowlers threw at him. The scorecard barely inched forward from his end, but India had ridden through a tricky period. But after an 81-ball vigil, Pujara was dismissed for 11, ending a 51-run partnership that came off 24 overs. It raises a pertinent question that has always surrounded Pujara since Virat Kohli publically questioned his intent in a Test match in South Africa in 2018.

Read | New Zealand vs India: Is Kuldeep Yadav done in ODIs?

Cheteshwar Pujara

- Yet to score 25 in New Zealand Tests
- Yet to score 50 in West Indies Tests

If you look at Dravid's record in these countries then you'll sue him

�?K Vijayendra (@k_vijayendra8) February 23, 2020

"We need to have intent because the kind of bowling attack they have - especially on these pitches they get extra bounce and they get extra pace off the wicket - you can't be in a zone of not having intent and see off 35-40 overs. You need to find the perfect balance to do well in South Africa especially where there is more bounce," Kohli had said then without taking Pujara's name. 

In New Zealand, Pujara has his worst strike rate in any country in Tests - a disappointing 26.79. The situation today demanded Pujara to bat time. But does it work for his own good? Pujara's best averages in Tests are in Sri Lanka and India; 90.8 and 59.84 respectively. In these countries, he strikes at rates of 53.03 and 50.61, his best two numbers in any country. 

In fact, his averages and strike rates in different countries are in proper sync. The faster he scores, the better he averages. Given this, was his intent-less approach questionable at Wellington?

Read | Could it just be that Jasprit Bumrah is overrated in ODIs?

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Marty Melville

Ross Taylor will play his 100th Test match when New Zealand take on India in Wellington in the first Test match of 2020. The veteran Kiwi middle-order batsman was in the form of his life in the ODI series where he made 194 runs, being dismissed just once in three games. 

Taylor will be a vital member of New Zealand's Test squad as they meet India in a highly-anticipated Test series. The focus has often gone to Kane Williamson, Tom Latham and BJ Watling in recent times but Taylor has been in good form and flying under the radar could just make him an even more dangerous proposition.

Numbers vs India

Ross Taylor has played 12 Tests against India, scoring 748 runs while averaging 34 in the format. His last three Tests against India have come in India and his numbers are pretty ordinary. But early in his career, Taylor had started off by making two hundreds in 2009 against a visiting Indian side - a 151 at Napier and a 107 at Wellington. Overall, he has three tons against India, his joint second-most against any opponent in Tests. 

Numbers in New Zealand

Taylor is a veteran of 99 Tests and he has 7174 Test runs, the most by any Black Caps batsman ever in the format. He averages 46.28 with 19 centuries and 33 fifties in Tests but his impact has been even more profound in home Test matches. Taylor has 3601 runs in New Zealand in Tests, averaging 56.26 with 12 of his 19 hundreds coming here. Since 2016, Taylor has been even more brilliant at home, averaging 64.52 in 15 Tests with four centuries, including a double ton. In his last five innings in home Tests, Taylor has a double century, a hundred and a fifty.

Read | Mayank Agarwal's form a cause for worry as India head into Tests

Numbers under Williamson and recent form

Taylor's numbers in Tests make for interesting viewing when split by captains he has played under.

Captains and Taylor's Test averages:

• Brendon McCullum - 49.1
• Daniel Vettori - 41.12
• Tom Latham - 22
• Kane Williamson - 51.61
• Ross Taylor himself - 47.26

Taylor's batting numbers are the best under Kane Williamson with six of his 19 hundreds coming in his tenure, a span of just 28 Test matches. 

Taylor had a major dip in form in 2018 when he averaged just 23.08 in seven Test matches, but this is sandwiched between two outstanding years in Test cricket - 2017 where he averaged 81.6 and 2019 where he averaged 55.18. 

In 2020, Taylor has played just one Test and couldn't make much of an impact. His recent form at home though makes him a potent threat in New Zealand's batting line-up as the series against India gets underway. 

Read | Ross Taylor - Tom Latham and India's stiff middle overs challenge

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Michael Bradley

Since his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test of 2018, Mayank Agarwal has 872 runs in 9 Tests at an average of 67.07 with two of his three hundred-plus scores converted to double centuries. The Karnataka opener has seamlessly adapted to Test cricket and is the highest run-scorer for India in the format since his debut, beating the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane. 

After a good-looking 76 in his debut innings against Australia in Melbourne, Mayank made scores of 42 and 77 on the same tour before a tour of West Indies saw him make just one half-century. Just as doubts were being raised about his presence at the top, Mayank came roaring in the home series against South Africa alongside Rohit Sharma. A double ton at Vizag involved a triple century stand with Rohit and Mayank followed it up with another ton in Pune.

Against Bangladesh at Indore, the opener cracked his highest Test score of 243. It was his penchant for big scores in domestic cricket that earned Mayank a place in the Test team. He made over a 1000 Ranji runs in one month once including a triple century for Karnataka and knocked down the door for Test selection before eventually making his debut in Australia and then shining for India in the format.

It's been more than a year since, and Mayank is undoubtedly one of India's most reliable batters in Tests now. In the last two series, he exhibited good confidence at the top alongside Rohit Sharma, who himself took to his new red ball role pretty well.  

Now as India head into the toughest format of their New Zealand tour, Rohit Sharma's absence will mean the onus is on Mayank to make runs at the top or provide a reasonable cushion for the middle-order. The in-form KL Rahul, Mayank's Karnataka teammate, was left out of the Test side despite his recent form in limited-overs cricket and Rohit's absence. This means that Mayank will mostly be the senior partner at the top of the order with one of Prithvi Shaw or Shubman Gill likely to bat alongside him.

Read | KL Rahul - Back-up keeper, back-up middle-order, back-up opener

The problem for India, though, is that Mayank is in wretched form since landing in New Zealand with the India A team. Having arrived early with a few other squad members to acclimatise to the conditions here, Mayank has barely found any runs. 

Mayank since landing in New Zealand: 

India A tour of New Zealand: 8, 32, 29, 37, 24, 0, 0. 

ODIs: 32, 3, 1

First warm-up game: 0

In the series against New Zealand XI, Mayank returned with three single digit scores including a pair in the final outing. He was, however, called up to open in ODIs in place of Rohit Sharma and started in all three games alongside Prithvi Shaw. While Shaw himself struggled after getting starts, Mayank could barely manage to start after a 32 in the first ODI.

Scores of three and one further pegged back his confidence in the ODIs and the warm-up game against New Zealand XI prior to the first Test was touted as Mayank's chance to redeem his form. The opener, though, fell for a duck as India lost their top three for five runs - all of them to Scott Kuggeleijn - on day one of the warm-up game. 

Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari then lifted the team with centuries, but Mayank's form remains a major headache for team India as they prepare themselves for a sterner examination from the likes of Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Tim Southee in the Test series on more pace-conducive wickets. 

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Michael Bradley

The very thought should make an Indian fan shudder. Jasprit Bumrah is a generational bowler, they said. Since his rise from Ranji and India's favourite T20 League, Bumrah has been the toast of a nation that has had very few bowling heroes, let along fast bowling heroes. His return from injury was awaited with bated breaths but once he was indeed back, the celebrations have been quite muted.

The reason? In his last six ODIs, Bumrah has a grand total of one wicket! That of Australian tail-ender Adam Zampa. He was taken apart in a T20I death over by Kane Williamson and yet again by the same batsman in the Super Over in that game. 

Injury sure seems to be pegging back Bumrah a touch. Was he fully fit when returning? Did India hasten his return to the setup for him to be ready for the New Zealand Test series? Did India need to play him throughout the ODI and T20I series, particularly when both had dead rubber games?

Questions galore around Bumrah but the one factor that does not change any of this is that a strike bowler picked up just one wicket in his last six ODIs. Now, wickets aren't just the only factor that makes Bumrah the Bumrah we love. 

During the T20Is, the commentator said - "That's the thing about Bumrah. Had he not been this good, Bumrah might have picked up more wickets." 

Read | New Zealand vs India: Major takeaways for India from ODI series loss

He is right. Bumrah is perhaps too good to get wickets. Batsmen know he is extremely lethal and come out with a mindset of playing him out rather than taking him on. Could this be pinpointed as a reason for his lack of wickets in the last six ODIs? Unfortunately not. 

Bumrah in last six ODIs

• 7-0-50-0    v Australia Mumbai          
• 9.1-2-32-1 v Australia Rajkot
• 10-0-38-0  v Australia Bengaluru
• 10-1-53-0  v New Zealand Hamilton
• 10-0-64-0  v New Zealand Auckland
• 10-0-50-0  v New Zealand Mount Maunganui

In two of his last six ODIs, Bumrah has gone at over six runs per over. In two further matches he went at over five runs per over without appearing to be too much of a threat. He picked up six wickets in the five T20Is at a fairly good economy, but in ODIs, with more time in the hands of batsmen, they seem to have decoded a way of not giving him wickets and also scoring off him. 

Now, this could obviously be put down to his recent injury history and lack of rhythm. The Bumrah we know is a lethal pace bowler and his credentials across formats cannot possibly be questioned. Except that it can be.

Go deeper into Bumrah's career and here's what stands out. His averages against some of the best batting teams in his career - the Aussies, England, New Zealand and Pakistan - are disappointing. He has thrived against South Africa, who are no longer a decent batting side, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.

Teams	Innings	Wickets	Average	Economy	Strike Rate
v Afghanistan	1	2	19.5	3.9	30
v Australia	14	18	34.83	4.97	42
v Bangladesh	4	10	17	4.51	22.6
v England	4	6	45.33	6.97	39
v New Zealand	11	13	36.84	4.71	46.9
v Pakistan	5	4	48.75	4.97	58.7
v South Africa	8	12	19.16	3.83	30
v Sri Lanka	10	22	16.9	4.21	24
v West Indies	4	8	10	2.66	22.5
v Zimbabwe	3	9	8.55	2.98	17.2

Against England and Pakistan, Bumrah averages 45.33 and 48.75 respectively with his economy rate bouncing over six against England. Against Australia and New Zealand too, Bumrah has struggled to maintain a decent average - 34.83 and 36.84 - despite a fairly big sample size. 

Bumrah's overall ODI numbers are impressive: an average of 24.43 in 64 innings at a strike rate of 32.1 and an economy under five. 

But cut down his numbers to the top tier teams in ODIs - Australia, New Zealand, England, Pakistan and South Africa (included despite their poor batting form) - and the stats take a beating. He averages 34.01 in total against these sides while striking every 41st ball on an average, disappointing numbers for a strike bowler in One Dayers. Cut out South Africa from this list, and the average shoots up to 38.36 and the strike rate to 44.7.

It's definitely harsh to suggest that Bumrah is overrated in ODIs but can you completely ridicule this possibility yet? Probably not.

Read | Shreyas Iyer and India's silver lining

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Michael Bradley

India suffered their first ODI whitewash in 31 years as New Zealand, after being humbled 0-5 in the T20Is, roared back to win the ODIs 3-0. Will this shatter India's confidence ahead of the Test series? Is India's ODI form off the radar? Here are a few takeaways from the series that explores the above questions.

Shreyas Iyer - KL Rahul - Manish Pandey

While the series loss was indeed heart wrenching to watch, India seem to have found a long-term solution for their middle-order woes. Shreyas Iyer top scored in the series with 217 runs at an average of 72.33. His position at no. 4 had been sealed even before the series began, although questions remained on who would follow him.

This series provided answers to that as KL Rahul blasted 204 runs in three games from the no. 5 position. The opening batsman was moved down the order after taking up the wicket-keeping gloves and shone in a middle-overs plus finishing role. 

That India made competitive scores even with the openers and Virat Kohli misfiring is indeed a massive boost. Furthermore, they also seem to have found their ideal no.6 in Manish Pandey. Although he played just the final game, Pandey shone with a composed 42 and he had also shown glimpses of form in the T20Is. The dream of a stable middle-order might well be materializing after this wretched series.

Do they fit in India's ODI plans anymore? 

• Shardul Thakur - The pace bowler was backed throughout the series by the management but conceded runs at an economy of 8.06 while picking up just four wickets. Aside from the one T20I where he restricted the Kiwis in the final over to force a Super Over, Thakur failed to impress.
• Kuldeep Yadav - While Yuzvendra Chahal topped the wickets charts with 6 wickets in the series at an impressive average, his wrist spin twin was unimpressive in his only outing, conceding runs at a rate of 8.4. Kuldeep's poor economy rate and lack of wickets in last few games is a worrying sign and probably a cue for India to move on from him as teams have started deciphering his mystery. 
• Kedar Jadhav - The all-rounder has done little wrong in ODIs in a role where there's only been so much to do with a consistent top-order. But with Jadhav not used with the ball anymore, does he add more value than a Rishabh Pant or Manish Pandey at no.6? He is about to be 35 this year and won't be around for sure in 2023. Is there a point in sticking with him anymore?

Kohli and Mayank's form heading into the Tests

Mayank Agarwal made his ODI debut this series but this has been a terrible tour for one of India's most consistent Test batsmen in recent times. His scores in the India A tour of New Zealand and in the ODIs fail to ooze any kind of confidence. 

Mayank Agarwal since landing in New Zealand: 

A-tour: 8, 32, 29, 37, 24, 0, 0. 

ODIs: 32, 3, 1.

With Rohit Sharma also ruled out of the Test series, India have concerns at the top of the order if Mayank can't find his feet. The ball swings around in New Zealand early and the openers play the key role of shielding the middle-order from the early storm. Can Mayank ride past his poor form to do that in the Tests?

As much as the opener, Virat Kohli's form is a matter of concern for India. The India skipper was off-colour throughout the ODI series, a first in a long time, and made just 75 runs in three matches even when New Zealand missed their strike bowler and Kohli's nemesis Trent Boult. Kohli's form heading into the Test series is suspect and India will want him finding his rhythm in the lone warm-up game.

Can Bumrah find his rhythm?

Bumrah's return after injury was awaited by Indian fans but the seamer has apparently lacked the cutting edge that made him a world-beating pace bowler since returning. In his last six ODIs, Bumrah has snared just one wicket - that of a tail-ender in Adam Zampa - and has gone for above five runs per over in four of these six games. 

Bumrah in last six ODIs

• 7-0-50-0    v Australia Mumbai          
• 9.1-2-32-1 v Australia Rajkot
• 10-0-38-0 v Australia Bengaluru
• 10-1-53-0 v New Zealand Hamilton
• 10-0-64-0 v New Zealand Auckland
• 10-0-50-0 v New Zealand Mount Maunganui

That batsmen have decided to play him out in the format and did that successfully is only one half of the story. Bumrah's rhythm seems off since returning from injury - a possibly hasty return - and India could well find themselves in a soup if he does not fire in the Tests as well.    

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Michael Bradley

India were whitewashed 0-3 in the ODI series by New Zealand after dishing out a whitewash themselves in the T20I series preceding the ODIs. While there were very few positives from the series for India, Shreyas Iyer shone through with an outstanding performance at no. 4 for the visitors.

Iyer made scores of 103, 52 and 62, a series tally of 217 runs which is the third-best by any Indian from the no 4 position in a three-match ODI series. Only Rohit Sharma in 2010 in a series against Sri Lanka and Virat Kohli against in the 2012 tri-series in Australia have more runs from the position in a three-match series.

Iyer averaged 72.33 in the New Zealand series, scoring at a strike rate of 95 or more with a century and two half-centuries. 

Since coming in at no. 4 for India in ODIs, Iyer has owned the position and resolved a major headache for team India. Iyer's consistency has been his plus point. The middle-order batsman has churned out runs at will even when the top-order hasn't fired like in this series against New Zealand.

Consistency level #shreyasiyer#NZvsIND

�?Iknowit (@Iknowit77032406) February 11, 2020

In his maiden series against Sri Lanka in 2017, Iyer hit two half-centuries in three matches before two less-than-convincing knocks against South Africa. When he returned to the side in 2019, Iyer hit four half-centuries on the trot against the Windies in two series spread across the Caribbean Islands and then back home.    

He was unbeaten on 44 at Rajkot in the final game against Australia at home before the New Zealand tour, only the second ODI series he completed without a half-century. But he has compensated for that in New Zealand with a century and two half-centuries.

Iyer has nine scores of 50 or more in 16 innings for India in ODIs. 56.25% of his knocks are 50 or above which is a world record in ODIs at this stage. No batsman with at least 10 ODI innings has a better percentage of 50-plus scores.

Ian Chappell and Aqib Ilyas of Oman have 50% each while Nepal's Anshuman Rath has 44.44%. Rassie van der Dussen recently became part of the list with his brilliant form for the Proteas. Like Ryan ten Doeschate, Van der Dussen has a 50-plus percentage of 43.75. 

With that, hopefully, the no 4 quest halts. #INDvsNZ #ShreyasIyer

�?Uday Joshi (@udayjoshi98) February 11, 2020

Since Iyer's return to the ODI setup in August 2019, only two batsmen - Ilyas and Virat Kohli - have more runs than him in ODIs. Iyer has 538 runs at an average of 53.8 while striking at a rate of 100 or more. Of batsmen with 500-plus runs in this time frame, only KL Rahul and Iyer strike at a rate of over 100.

Iyer's count of seven scores of fifty or more in ODIs in this time frame is the best for any batsman. No other batsman has over six scores of 50 or more in this period, underlining Iyer's consistency with the bat. 

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Michael Bradley