Kiwis look for right combination for India

New Zealand have made two changes in a bid to avoid a humbling one-day international series sweep on home soil against India.

Allrounder Jimmy Neesham and legspinner Todd Astle replace Doug Bracewell and Ish Sodhi as the hosts lick their wounds after falling 3-0 down in the five-match series.

Touted as a chance to topple the the top-ranked Indians in a key series ahead of the World Cup, the Black Caps have been outclassed in all departments.

The performances reconfirm India as a major World Cup force while lowering expectations around a New Zealand team who had climbed to a ranking of third.

The personnel changes do nothing to address the hosts' batting shortcomings heading into game four in Hamilton on Thursday.

Openers Colin Munro and Martin Guptill have failed to lay a platform.

Proven Twenty20 blaster Munro is under intense pressure, with his technique found wanting by the Indian pacemen.

Coach Gary Stead has few other top order options at his disposal. He may promote Test opener and ODI wicketkeeper Tom Latham.

It is a rapid decline for a New Zealand side who scored the most runs by any team in a three-match bilateral ODI series when they routed Sri Lanka earlier this month, compiling an aggregate of 1054 runs.

Neesham impressed in his return to the international game in that series before suffering a hamstring strain.

A World Cup berth should be his if he can spark a change in fortunes in the two remaining matches.

New Zealand's chances have improved with the premature return home of superstar Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who has been rested.