India will play two Tests, five Twenty20 Internationals, and five One-Day Internationals in New Zealand. The BCCI just revealed a split team for the ODI series. The opening match of the ODI series will take place in Auckland on November 4, the second in Wellington on November 7, the third in Hamilton on November 10, and the fourth and fifth in Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15.
India has announced two squads for the ODI series, with some players leaving to prep for the Test series, and players replacing them. Today, we take a look at three Indian batters to watch out for in ODIs.
Here are the 3 Indian batters to watch out for in the NZ vs IND ODI series:
3. Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been retained in the Indian ODI squad for the entire series, and he recently captained India A against Australia A in the one-day series in Puducherry. Gaikwad has made the middle-order spot his own and might open the innings later in the series when Shubman Gill leaves. It is a big opportunity for Gaikwad to perform big time and maybe push Yashasvi Jaiswal out of contention entirely as the Indian team approaches the 2027 World Cup preps.
2. Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan is the second keeper-batter in the Indian squad behind KL Rahul and will be the vice-captain once Rahul leaves for India Test duties. Kishan is capable of playing as a sole batter as well, and it will be a good chance for him to score big and confirm his spot as the second batter-keeper and probably the backup opener as well. Ishan Kishan has made a huge comeback in Indian white-ball teams, and his inclusion in ODIs hints that BCCI selectors are thinking of him in 2027 World Cup plans as well.
1. Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has a good record in New Zealand, with 346 runs in 6 ODIs, with one century and three fifties. Overall, he has 3136 runs in 82 ODIs, with 5 centuries and 24 fifties at an average of 45.44. Shreyas Iyer has made the no. 4 spot his own in ODIs and is now the vice-captain in ODIs. He will lead India in the last two ODIs of the series and will look forward to having a big series under his bag before the 2027 World Cup.
