So the West Indies have/are about to jump on a plane and head back to their lovely climate, lovely beaches, lovely oceans and lovely islands. While they return to paradise, we welcome the Indians. Any time we get to welcome the Indians to our shores, it is a special occasion. The big boys are here. We've roped in a bit of help to educate us on the Indians and what they will offer.

The Indian team comes to New Zealand after completing a tough tour in South Africa where they struggled with the seaming wickets. Dale steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel troubled the majority of the Indian batsmen with their bounce and movement. The Black Caps have had what you would have consider a warm up series against the West Indies, which could leave them a bit under done against tough opposition. It will be an interesting series with the Kiwis showing promise but still an unfinished product and an Indian team who are rebuilding, but have plenty of talent and drive to be dominant.

Prepare green wickets ... for Mohammed Shami and co?

India is currently the No.1 team in ODI’s and they will need to play like that against a very strong and competitive New Zealand team. The New Zealand coach, Mike Hesson has made it clear that the tracks prepared for the upcoming tour should suit the seam bowlers giving New Zealand the upper hand. Both teams have spinners who can provide a threat as well as limiting scoring opportunities which will provide an interesting battle. With plenty of talent wielding the willow, whoever can get the upper hand with the older ball will go along way towards victory.

Looking at the ODI form of the Indian players coming into this series, the majority of the ODI runs in 2013 had been scored by Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The top three batsmen for India will once again be heavily relied on to negotiate the NZ seamers and give India a decent start. Looking at the bowling department, Ravindra Jadega will be India’s go to man as he has been India’s leading wicket taker in the ODI’s in 2013. India will also be bringing Bhuveneshwar Kumar, Varun Aaron and Mohammed Shami, all three on their first tour to New Zealand. If the pitches prepared do favour the seamers then Indian seamers will be more than a handful.

Players to watch out for

Stuart Binny sounds like he could be a Kiwi!? Sign em up!

Stuart Binny has been called up as a genuine allrounder and if successful, could prove to be the seaming allrounder India has been looking since Irfan Pathan’s decline in form with the ball.

Ajinkya Rahane has shown great promise in South Africa and will provide greater depth in the middle order.

India Playing 11 (Probable)

Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (capt), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma

There is also a test series straight after the ODI’s comprising of two test matches to be held at Eden Park and Basin Reserve. Looking at the current form of both teams, NZ have completely annihilated the West Indian team in home conditions going into this series whereas India had a tough tour to South Africa where they lost 1-0. However, the young Indian batsmen showed a lot more promise and outplayed the South Africans in the first test in which Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli both scored centuries. The bowling will also be boosted by the return of the veteran seamer Zaheer Khan who knows these conditions well.

This test series could be the closest series yet between the two teams. From the outlook, it seems like this series will be a contest between the elegant Indian batsmen and an immaculate NZ seam attack. The weaker points of both teams could prove to be the difference however. We all know what the Indians provide with the bat but for them to win, they'll have to be dominant with the ball. Can their bowling group trouble the Kiwi batsmen in home conditions? Guys like the new kid on the block Mohammed Shami will play a vital role as will Ishant Sharma. The battle of spin will also be interesting, with Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja fighting for a spot to come up against Ish Sodhi. Can Sodhi succeed against guys to play spin in their sleep? Can the Black Caps batsmen succeed against quality spin bowling? #questions

Players to watch out for

Cheteshwar Pujara: He is already known to score big hundreds in his short career so far and has the best average in test cricket after Sir Donald Bradman (for 20+ test innings). NZ bowlers will have to get him early if they want to dominate over the strong Indian batting as he holds the key.

Zaheer Khan: He will be the only bowler in the Indian line up to know the conditions well and is coming from a decent tour in South Africa. If pitches prepared do suit the seamers than he could have a vital role to play if India wants to win the test series.

India playing 11 (probable) Shikhar Dhawan, M Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (capt), Ravindra Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma