With the T20 World Cup approaching in less than a month, the focus over the next week will be squarely on Kohli and Rohit, both of whom are anticipated to lead India’s efforts in the 50-over format. Having participated in several Vijay Hazare Trophy matches recently, both players have accumulated runs, sending a clear signal that they remain integral to India’s ODI strategy.
All eyes will also be on captain Shubman Gill, who will be under scrutiny after his omission from India’s T20 World Cup squad. Concerns about his form, combined with previous injuries that sidelined him during much of last year’s series in South Africa, have heightened the focus on the young opener as this series approaches.
Gill’s return to the playing XI is likely to prompt a top-order reshuffle, with Yashasvi Jaiswal expected to make way despite scoring his first ODI century in the last match against South Africa.
The return of Shreyas Iyer is likely to restore stability to the middle order, effectively concluding India’s recent batting experiments. The 31-year-old is set to reclaim his desired No. 4 spot, providing much-needed clarity as India seeks to fine-tune their lineup.
KL Rahul’s ongoing role as a lower-order batsman and wicketkeeper is expected to keep Rishabh Pant out of the side, with the latter remaining the second choice in the 50-over format.
Although Iyer, Pant, and Mohammed Siraj did not take part in the preparations for the ODI series in Kotambi until Saturday, Ravindra Jadeja trained at full intensity on Friday, indicating his availability.
Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are absent from the ODI series to maintain their fitness for T20 commitments, leaving the pace-bowling responsibilities to Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna.
Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and Jadeja will handle the spin-bowling duties in a format where evening dew and the flat nature of pitches across the country necessitate a focus on containment rather than aggressive wicket-taking.
This match will mark the first men’s international event at the new Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Kotambi, although it has previously hosted a women’s ODI series between India and the West Indies.
For New Zealand, their defeat to India in last year’s Champions Trophy final is of little consequence, as this series offers an excellent chance to evaluate new and lesser-known players.
Regardless of the availability of their top players, the Black Caps will adhere to their team philosophy that proved successful during their last visit to India in 2024-25, when they defeated India 3-0 in the Test series.
During that tour, several New Zealand players expressed a desire to “fire the first shot” against India, and the mantra for this trip is “you are where your feet are,” aimed at keeping players focused on the task at hand and not on the challenges surrounding them, especially with numerous frontline players missing and facing India on their home turf.
Mitchell Santner is sidelined from the ODIs due to a groin injury, while Tom Latham is back home for the birth of his first child. Former captain Kane Williamson is in South Africa fulfilling his T20 commitments in the SA20.
Rachin Ravindra and fast bowler Jacob Duffy have been rested, while Matt Henry, returning from a calf injury, is aiming for a comeback in the T20I series with the World Cup in mind.
Michael Bracewell will lead the side in Santner’s absence; Santner is expected to return for the T20Is. Attention will also be given to how the tall all-rounder Kyle Jamieson and the 23-year-old leg-spinner Adithya Ashok perform.
Jayden Lennox has been brought into the Kiwis’ squad as a direct replacement for Santner.
Despite the presence of many new and inexperienced players, New Zealand still boasts a strong batting lineup featuring Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, and Glenn Phillips.
Teams (from): India: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana.
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Devon Conway (wk), Mitchell Hay (wk), Nick Kelly, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Adithya Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Jayden Lennox, Michael Rae.
Match starts at 1:30pm IST.
(With PTI inputs)
