IND vs NZ: Predicted India playing XI for the first ODI against New Zealand

Following an exciting T20I series between India and New Zealand, the action has now shifted to the ODI format. India and New Zealand now move to a five-match ODI series starting November 4, where fans eagerly await the return of icons Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The Men in Blue last played this format in September during the West Indies tour of India, a series the Indian team won 2-1. Team India wants to carry that winning momentum into this series too. The opening encounter will be played at Eden Park, Auckland. 

One notable aspect of this series is that India will play a 5-match ODI series after a long time. The last time India played a 5-match ODI series at home was in 2019 against Australia, under Virat Kohli's captaincy, which India lost 2–3. Now, after nearly 7 years, Team India is set to play a 5-match ODI series once again.

On the other side, the Kiwi team last played the 50-over format in July during the New Zealand tour of the West Indies, a series Black Caps won 3-2. Recently, India’s T20I side won the series 3-2, and now the ODI team also wants to replicate the result.

While the spotlight will naturally focus on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the onus also falls on captain Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer to deliver. The lineup features an elite top five, though reports suggest Ruturaj Gaikwad could step in for the opening ODI if vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is ruled out. The lower-middle order balances depth with spin-bowling options Axar Patel and Naman Dhir, alongside pace all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. The bowling blueprint relies on Kuldeep Yadav as the frontline spinner, with Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj anchoring the seam attack.

Keeping the ODI World Cup in mind, this IND vs NZ series is going to be extremely important. The team management will look to create a blueprint by the end of this series to determine who makes the cut for the World Cup squad 10 months down the line. Team India wants to start this series with a victory, setting the winning tone for the rest of the series.

Predicted India playing XI for the first ODI

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill ©, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer/Ruturaj Gaikwad, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh