India vs New Zealand: India play NZ in 4th ODI at Ranchi, aim to seal series

India takes on New Zealand in the 4th ODI at Ranchi on Wednesday. Indians have taken a 2-1 lead courtesy their impressive seven wicket win in the third ODI played at Mohali.

Indian skipper MS Dhoni and ace batsman Virat Kohli were the architect's of the Indian win. India would like to win the game and seal the ODI series.

Track Record and Pitch at Ranchi

India has won 2 of their 3 games played at Ranchi, one of the match being washed out.

Going by history, one can expect a high-scoring contest on Wednesday. In the two-most recent ODIs played at Ranchi, the team batting first has scored in excess of 280 runs.

Team News:

INDIA

 MS Dhoni's would relish the chance of playing at Ranchi in front of his home crowd. The game could be his last ODI at his home venue.

With only seven more ODI's before the 2017 Champions Trophy, the selectors need to get a settled combination in before the premier tournament. Dhoni has excled at batting up the order at No.4 and showcased the same with his stellar knock of 80 in the last ODI.

Batting at Number 4, Dhoni has scored 1100 plus runs in 24 innings, at a staggering avg of 61, so he is a good accumulator of runs apart from being a master finisher.

Meanwhile Virat Kohli has scored sixteen centuries while chasing, one short of the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar's all time record. Kohli unbeaten in last two knocks at Ranchi. He scored 139* against Sri Lanka in November 2014 and 77* versus England in January 2013.

Rohit Sharma hasnt fired so maybe Mandeep Singh can be given a chance. Rahane hasnt been comfortable while opening so a better bet in the middle order. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya, has impressed with both bat and bowl in his debut ODI series.

Bowling

Pace:

The Ranchi wicket dosent have that much of grass so playing Dhawal Kulkarni (subtle variations and change of pace) would be a good bet. Dhawal Kulkarni in place of Umesh Yadav. Meanwhile Bumrah should be potent on this wicket.

Spin Attack:

Amit Mishra and Jadhav have been firing on all cylinders. Mishra has lead the attack well in absence of Ashwin and Kedhar Jadhav has given the crucial breakthrough's in the middle.

The pitch curator has said that the Ranchi wicket would turn so there could play off spinner Jayant Yadav in the playing eleven. Aksar being more of a run container so Jayant Yadav can be given the nod.

New Zealand

Batting

Batting has been a major cause of worry as the visitors have been subject to collapses all through the series. The top order looks jittery and middle order seems vulnerable to quality bowling. Latham has been their star batsman all through the tour.

The Kiwi skipper, Kane Williamson has got his form back after his century in 2nd ODI at Delhi. Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor have been big disappointments so far as they got off to starts but failed to capitalize. All-rounder Neesham is in good knick after a fighting knock in Mohali but Corey Anderson needs to fire.

The Kiwis shall like to play an additional spinner in Ish Sodhi alongside Mitchell Santner as the wicket would aid spinners for sure.