Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has picked his preferred playing XI for the first ODI against New Zealand, including three all-rounders. The match will be played at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday.
Ashwin picked Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma as openers, followed by Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul in the top and middle order.
He also included Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Axar Patel as the three all-rounders in the team. In the bowling department, the former Indian spinner backed Arshdeep Singh to lead the pace attack in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence. Ashwin said any two bowlers between Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi Dar and Gurnoor Brar can play.
Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy had recently impressed in the T20I series against New Zealand, which India won by 3-2. Ashwin said wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav will be left out by the team management.
“Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, and then the three seamers. Maybe Arshdeep, Nabi, and Anshul. If Naman, Nitish, and Axar play, Kuldeep will be out. But I think he will have to sit out anyway because they will go with these three. I think any two from Anshul, Nabi, and Gurnoor can play,” Ashwin said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s playing XI for 1st ODI against New Zealand: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi Dar/Gurnoor Brar.
The first ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday
