Tendulkar has 16,440 ODI runs, 6765 more than New Zealand's 12 players together!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was in New Zealand that Tendulkar opened for the first time in one-day internationals, scoring 82 off 49 balls at Eden Park in 1994. He's since changed as a batsman and his ODI appearances are less frequent but his presence still gives the batting line-up considerable muscle. Tendulkar's three innings in Sri Lanka were cut short by poor lbw decisions and he has had no match practice to adjust to the seam and bounce of New Zealand's pitches going into tomorrow's game
India's opening combination of Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag has played a pivotal role in their one-day success in 2008 but Gambhir has struggled in New Zealand. He was over-aggressive in the first Twenty20 international and failed to find his rhythm despite spending time at the crease in the second. The openers' failure to provide substantial starts has deprived the middle-order of the momentum they have become accustomed to. However, that partnership will be split in Napier when Sachin Tendulkar returns to open with Sehwag, Gambir dropping down the order. Tendulkar's return, though, means India will have one opener who is playing his first game of the tour, and a No. 3 yet to find form.

New Zealand are quietly confident after their upset win in the Twenty20s. Their fast bowlers provided early breakthroughs and the pressure was increased by Daniel Vettori, who was able to restrict a strong middle-order. They have also been bolstered by the recovery of the injured Kyle Mills, who will take the new ball and also provide depth to the batting line-up. However, their coach Andy Moles still called India the favourites whom New Zealand would "respect but not be scared" of. They have no reason to be scared, after running Australia extremely close in the drawn Chappell-Hadlee Series earlier in the month.