"Auqib Nabi has to be the one sitting out" - Former IPL captain on India's playing 11 changes for NZ vs IND 2026 2nd ODI

Former Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane believes pacer Auqib Nabi will make way if India drafts veteran seamer Mohammed Siraj into the playing XI for the second ODI against New Zealand. However, Rahane wants Auqib Nabi to get one more game before Siraj returns.

Rahane's case rests on where the two bowlers stand. Siraj has been bowling competitive red-ball overs for India A and will be needed for the two Tests that follow the one-day series. Nabi is two ODIs into his international career and is still searching for a first wicket.

In the series opener at Eden Park, Nabi shared the new ball with Arshdeep Singh and finished with 0 for 33 from six overs, the only Indian seamer without a wicket.

Talking about the potential changes to the Indian playing 11 for the second ODI, Rahane said on the Sony Sports Network:

"If Siraj is back in India's playing 11, Auqib Nabi has to be the one sitting out. However, I would like to see Nabi get another chance. Siraj already has good match practice and game time and will also play in the Tests. Nabi's confidence will increase if he is backed for one more game. You can play Siraj in the game after, but by giving Nabi another chance, you can build a player."

India lead the five-match series 1‑0 after bowling New Zealand out for 185 in 40.2 overs and knocking off a rain-revised 143 in 32 overs with five wickets down in 22.4 overs.

Rahane picks Anshul Kamboj and Axar Patel as the Indian bowlers to watch out for in the 2nd ODI

Ajinkya Rahane picked Anshul Kamboj and Axar Patel as the two Indian bowlers to watch out for in the second New Zealand ODI. Kamboj took 2 for 22 from his ten overs in Auckland, with 46 dot balls and two maidens.

Axar bowled five overs for 12 runs without a wicket, but his control through the middle overs mattered more than the bare numbers suggest.

"I want to see if Anshul Kamboj can bowl with consistency again. And I don't mean by the numbers because it'll be hard to replicate the figures he produced in the first ODI. I also want to see how Axar Patel bowls because he has the ability. But his form has slightly dipped, so it is important for him to do well in this match," said Rahane (via the aforementioned source).

The second ODI will be played in Wellington on Saturday, November 7.

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