3 changes India could make for 5th NZ vs IND ODI
(Courtesy : BCCI)
India will be under pressure after their 244-run defeat in 4th ODI.
India will take on New Zealand in the fifth and final ODI of the series at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, November 15. The visitors have won the first two matches and currently lead the five-match series 2-1, with the third game ending without a result due to rain.
However, The Men in Blue suffered a massive 244-run defeat in the fourth ODI. New Zealand posted 333/8 before bowling India out for just 89 in 26.4 overs. Matt Henry picked up six wickets for 27 runs, including the dismissals of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer in the first over.
The defeat has put India‘s batting and team combination under the spotlight ahead of the final match. The team will also be without Gurnoor Brar, who has joined the Test squad after taking nine wickets in three matches in the ongoing ODI series.
Here are three changes India could consider for the fifth ODI against New Zealand.
3 changes India could make for 5th NZ vs IND ODI
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1. Tilak Varma could replace Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad scored just five runs in the fourth ODI as an opener. He has scored 334 runs in 13 ODIs at an average of 33.40 and a strike rate of 85.20.
Tilak Varma could get an opportunity in his place. The left-handed batter has scored 68 runs in five ODIs at an average of 22.66.
Although his international numbers are still limited, he can provide another option in the middle order, which looks fragile at the moment. Ishan Kishan could also open alongside Rohit Sharma.
2. Mohammed Siraj could replace Gurnoor Brar
Mohammed Siraj is likely to return to the playing XI after Gurnoor Brar became unavailable for the final ODI due to his Test preparations.
Siraj has taken 77 wickets in 51 ODIs at an average of 25.67 and an economy rate of 5.15. He has not played an ODI in this series so far, but his experience could help India’s pace attack.
Brar, meanwhile, has been India’s leading wicket-taker in the series with nine wickets in three matches. His absence will leave a big gap in the bowling department.
3. Yash Thakur could replace Auqib Nabi
India could also consider giving Yash Thakur an opportunity in place of Auqib Nabi. Nabi picked up two wickets in the fourth ODI but conceded 59 runs in his eight overs at an economy rate of 7.37.
Thakur is yet to make his ODI debut, so the final match could offer him an opportunity to test himself at the international level.
However, Nabi’s two wickets in the previous match mean dropping him would be a selection decision based on the team’s overall bowling plans rather than a completely poor performance. India will hope to make the right changes and finish the series with a win in Mount Maunganui.
When will the 5th ODI between India and New Zealand be played?
The fifth ODI will be played on November 15, 2026, at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
Who could replace Gurnoor Brar in India’s playing XI?
Mohammed Siraj could replace Gurnoor Brar, who has joined India’s Test squad.
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