R Ashwin picks India's playing 11 for NZ vs IND 2026 1st ODI; includes 3 all-rounders
Spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin picked India's playing 11 for the first ODI against New Zealand. The game will be played on Wednesday, November 4.
Spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin picked India's playing 11 for the first ODI against New Zealand. The game will be played on Wednesday, November 4. It will be a five-match ODI series between the two sides.
Ashwin began with an expected top and middle order. His openers were skipper Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, followed by Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul. He also included three all-rounders: Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Axar Patel.
Finally, Ashwin went with three seamers. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, he picked Arshdeep Singh to lead the attack, along with two pacers from Nabi, Anshul Kamboj, and Gurnoor Brar. He reckoned that wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav would have to miss out, as he believed India would play three all-rounders, with Axar being the spin option.
"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," he said on 'Ash ki Baat'.
The second ODI will be played on Saturday, November 7, in Wellington, followed by the third game on Tuesday, November 10, in Hamilton. The fourth and fifth ODIs will be played on Friday, November 13, and Sunday, November 15, respectively, at Mount Maunganui.
What is India's record in ODIs in New Zealand?
India and New Zealand have faced off in 123 ODIs so far. The Men in Blue have the upper hand with 63 wins, compared to 52 wins by the Kiwis. However, the Kiwis have dominated at home.
In 45 matches in New Zealand, the hosts have 26 wins, while India have 14. One game ended in a tie, with four matches finishing without a result. The last time the Men in Blue played an ODI series in New Zealand, they lost 0-1. The hosts won the first game, while the other two matches were called off due to rain.
Having won the T20I series, the visitors will be keen to carry the momentum and secure the ODI series as well.
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