Pujara predicts Kohli century and a 2-2 draw in India’s five-match ODI series with New Zealand

Cheteshwar Pujara told Star Sports that Virat Kohli will score a century and that the five-match One-Day International series between India and New Zealand will finish 2-2, with one game possibly washed out by rain, ahead of the series starting on November 4.

Kohli’s recent one-day form was cited as the basis for Pujara’s confidence: Kohli has amassed 854 runs in his last 12 innings at a strike rate of 117.63 and most recently produced 139 off 88 balls against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram, hitting 10 fours and nine sixes. The report notes Kohli is 37 years old and has said he wants to take his game "to another level" by playing a gear or two higher. Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers is also quoted praising Kohli’s approach, saying he believes Kohli is playing with greater freedom and relying more on instinct.

Pujara contrasted Kohli’s prospect of reaching three figures with the role of opener Rohit Sharma and argued the No. 3 position is more conducive to a century in New Zealand conditions. He said: "For a batsman coming in at number three, scoring a century in the ODI format becomes a bit easier. The opener's role is also defined, but in New Zealand conditions, that changes a bit. So, I feel Virat has more chances of scoring a hundred in New Zealand than Rohit."

On the overall outcome of the series, Pujara forecast a draw and explained his expectation that India will field different combinations across the five matches. He said: "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 New Zealand have a slight advantage because you aren't playing the same team in all five matches."

Pujara also voiced continued faith in India for the opening matches while flagging tougher tests later in the series and the impact of New Zealand’s weather, saying: "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."

India and New Zealand are scheduled to play five ODIs, with the series beginning on November 4; Pujara’s comments were made in the build-up to that five-match contest.