NZ vs IND: India's strongest playing XI for 1st ODI against New Zealand - Predicted
(Courtesy : BCCI)
The first NZ vs IND ODI will be played at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday.
The five-match ODI series between New Zealand and India is set to begin on November 4 (Wednesday). The first match will begin at 7:30 AM IST at Eden Park in Auckland. Team India won the T20I series 3-2.
However, New Zealand bounced back with two consecutive wins to end the series. They will carry that confidence forward in the ODI series. Shubman Gill will lead the visitors. Two star players, Hardik Pandya (injury) and Jasprit Bumrah (rested), will miss the series.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be in action for India, while T20I captain Shreyas Iyer will play at no. 4. Considering the conditions and the boundaries at Auckland’s Eden Park, we might see some surprising selections.
India won their last bilateral ODI series in New Zealand in 2018/19, and they will look to repeat the same. A winning start will set the tone for the rest of the series. Hence, India will look to field their best possible XI in the first game.
Kuldeep Yadav likely to be benched
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
Captain Shubman Gill confirmed in the pre-match press conference that India will stick with the same top four, including him, Rohit, Virat, and Iyer.
Auckland playing conditions favour the batters. The boundaries at this ground are small, and New Zealand proved it in the fourth T20I, scoring 259 against India. Hence, it can go against Kuldeep Yadav, who might get benched.
Axar Patel is likely to be the first-choice spinner/all-rounder. In Hardik’s absence, Nitish Kumar Reddy has been given a chance; he will be the second all-rounder. Naman Dhir has shown his class, and he can also roll his arm over.
KL Rahul is the first-choice keeper, who can bat at no. 5 or 6, depending on the situation. Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, and Mohammed Siraj are likely to be three pacers, while Auqib Nabi might wait for his chance.
India’s strongest playing XI for 1st ODI
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
When will the first NZ vs IND ODI take place?
The first NZ vs IND ODI will take place on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
Where will the first NZ vs IND ODI take place?
The first NZ vs IND ODI will take place at Eden Park in Auckland.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.