Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes the ODI series between India and New Zealand starting on Wednesday will end 2-2 as he expects the visitors to be at a slight disadvantage owing to some pre-decided mid-series changes in the squad.
Pujara also reckoned that at least one game of the five-match series will be washed out. India would be without regular skipper Shubman Gill and his deputy KL Rahul in the last two games as they will begin preparing for the two-match Test series starting November 19. The ODI series will wind up on November 15.
“Two-all. In the first three matches, one team is playing, and then, in the last two matches, another Indian team is going to play. So, I think NZ have a slight advantage because you aren’t playing the same team in all five matches,” Pujara said.
“I’m still backing the Indian team in the first three matches, as I feel they will do well. The last two matches could be a bit of a challenge, but it will be a hard-fought series. And it rains in New Zealand, so probably one match will be a washout,” he added.
Pujara was also asked who between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is more likely to score more centuries during the series.
“The way Rohit bats, he has a role of providing good starts in the powerplay. In NZ, maybe that role changes, so he could go for a century. But for Virat, the chances are slightly higher because he bats at number three. His game is more about playing anchor role.
“So, for a batsman coming in at number three, scoring century in the ODI format becomes a bit easier. The opener’s role is also defined, but in NZ conditions, that changes a bit. So, I feel Virat has more chances of scoring a hundred in NZ than Rohit,” he explained.