The Indians will be back to ODI action in two days, with a few things to think about.
For instance, it may be wise to have their best batsmen higher up the order. Dhoni bats way too low at six and seven, and should come in at four. He's got the best batting average and a great strike rate going with it, and batting so low makes no sense. He deserves a promotion, especially at three. Yuvraj at four is another lock, especially on present form. Raina has the least impressive statistics, so he can come in at six or five.
It's debatable, who should open, Gambhir or Tendulkar. Tendulkar may be an automatic choice, but his recent struggles opening, as well as the success of the Sehwag-Gambhir partnership (also their Test opening partnership) may suggest otherwise. Moreover, we don't know what will happen if Sachin and Sehwag get off to a great start and put up a massive score- then Gambhir will be redundant.
Two spinners in the playing XI should be explored. Spin has proved effective for both teams, with Vettori and Harbhajan taking wickets cheaply in the T20. The Indians should play Ojha in all the matches, unless they're concerned about their batting, in which case Yusuf Pathan should play as a full spinner. That option is still not explored, and when Dhoni had the chance, he didn't take it. You can't risk Sehwag and Yuvraj bowling regularly, when you need runs from them. They will get fatigued, or worse, if hit for a series of boundaries, disturbed, which will affect their batting. An over or two will suffice, but no more.
Ishant Sharma has picked up an injury while fielding, and had to undergo surgery. It's a tough spot for the Indians, but they should risk playing him, because even if he isn't completely fit, he's better than the bowler on the bench who is fully fit. You've got Irfan, who's got a hitch adjusting to New Zealand, and you have Munaf, a complete liability on the team when not bowling, and himself a perpetual injury worry. Then again, will they risk aggravating his shoulder problem? They can't afford to lose him totally, either. They might just drop Irfan again, and will miss him yet again.
