India’s T20I tour of New Zealand has ended with a 3-2 series victory for Shreyas Iyer’s team, and the focus now shifts to the five-match ODI series. These games mark the beginning of the final countdown to next year’s World Cup and offer several key players an opportunity to make their case.
The biggest talking point is the return of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. All three will be eager to make an impact, particularly after India’s batting dominated the T20Is in conditions that offered little assistance to the seamers.
Gill made his ODI debut in New Zealand in early 2019, but it was hardly a memorable series for him. He fared better on his subsequent visit in 2022, though he is yet to establish complete authority in the country. After scoring 110 and an unbeaten 223 against West Indies recently, he will be keen to carry that form forward.
For Kohli and Rohit, this could be their final tour of New Zealand. Rohit has never scored an ODI century in the country, while Kohli averages just under 50, with one century and four half-centuries. Getting the two senior batters firing again will be crucial to India’s World Cup preparations.
KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are two other important players seeking runs. Rahul needs more time in the middle after limited batting opportunities recently, while Iyer has not played an ODI since July. Both remain central to India’s middle-order plans.
Ishan Kishan will also be keen to stake his claim, although finding a place for him in the playing XI could prove difficult.
The allrounder combination presents another selection challenge. With Hardik Pandya still unavailable, Naman Dhir and Nitish Reddy could get opportunities after impressive T20I performances. Axar Patel remains part of India’s World Cup plans but needs to rediscover his batting and bowling form.
If all three all-rounders feature, India may have room for only two specialist fast bowlers. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna would appear to be the leading candidates, potentially leaving Kuldeep Yadav out once again.
That would be a significant concern. As India begin their World Cup preparations, they must ensure that batting depth does not come at the expense of a balanced bowling attack. The five ODIs will offer an important indication of whether the team management has found the right formula.
India likely playing 11 (first ODI): 1 Shubman Gill (capt), 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Axar Patel, 7 Nitish Reddy, 8 Naman Dhir, 9 Auqib Nabi, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Mohammed Siraj
