Vizag ODI: History against them, but Kiwis confident

For the second time in 12 months, India go into the final game of a home ODI series in danger of losing it. They did against SA last year, so the hosts had better watch out in Vizag today

New Zealand pacer Tim Southee

Visakhapatnam: Having turned the tables after a shoddy show in the Test series, New Zealand speedster Tim Southee is confident that the Black Caps will be scripting history by winning their first ever bilateral ODI series in India.

"I think the guys are pretty excited to do what no other NZ side has ever done before — come over here and win a one-day series. The excitement in the group is very high," the New Zealand pacer said on the eve of the series decider.

India-New Zealand bilateral rivalry dates back to 1988 when the Dilip Vengsarkar-led team made a clean 4-0 sweep against John Wright & Co. In 1995, Mohammed Azharuddin's Indian team won 3-2, and four years later a Sachin Tendulkar-led team produced an identical result.

Their worst defeat has been in 2010 when Gautam Gambhir led India to a 5-0 rout against Ross Taylor and Co. "Everyone is really looking forward to tomorrow. It's been a long tour for some guys and it'll be nice to finish what's been a tough tour on a high note.

"The spirits are high and everyone is excited about the challenge for tomorrow," Southee said.

The biggest takeaway from their 19-run Ranchi win was Kane Williamson's assessment to read the conditions perfectly as the Kiwi skipper not only opted to bowl ignoring the dew but picked three spinners on a surface that surprisingly behaved slow.

Asked about their assessment of the Visakhapatnam wicket, he said they are confident to take a horses for courses approach. "Kane and (coach) Mike will look at the wicket and they'll come up with the best side they think suited for the wicket," he said about the surface that has seen India's monumental 356/9 against Pakistan in the venue's first ODI in 2005.

"We've chopped and changed throughout the series. The pitches have changed in each game. So I guess it'll be whatever we think the best mix is for this game."

5
No. of matches Kiwis lost in 2010 ODI series in India

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