India’s ideal playing XI for the ODIs against New Zealand

(Cricket news) After winning the rain affected T20I series, India will now take on New Zealand in 3 ODI matches. The series is extremely important keeping the 2023 World Cup in mind. With the big boys rested, Shikhar Dhawan will be leading the side. This might be the last ODI series before the World Cup where so many of the senior 3 format players are rested. It is a great opportunity for some of the youngsters to push for their place in the side that will eventually play the World Cup. Fans will be hoping that rain doesn't interfere in the ODI series like it did in the T20s. 

India's ideal playing XI:

Openers: Shikhar Dhawan & Shubhman Gill

This is a very important series for Shikhar Dhawan because he has been short of runs in this format recently. Dhawan is an important part of the team but India have a lot of talent that can come in if he doesn't hit form soon. Gill on the other hand is flying in the ODIs but this will be his biggest challenge so far. At this moment in time it is difficult to see Gill get into the ODI World Cup squad considering that he is not even in the squad for the Bangladesh series. However things could change if he performs in these 3 games. There are no other openers in the squad but Rishabh Pant and Deepak Hooda can open the batting if needed.

Middle order: Suryakumar Yadav & Sanju Samson

Suryakumar Yadav hasn't broken into the ODI team but after his ridiculous form in T20Is he definitely needs a long run in the 50 over format. Just like Gill, SKY isn't there in the squad against Bangladesh. Sanju Samson is also in a similar spot but he too deserves a place in the side. He has been in good form with the Indian side and the India A side in this format. Shreyas Iyer is the other option but he has been out of form in international matches. His troubles against the short ball is a big reason why he may not get into this team.

Wicket keeper: Rishabh Pant

Pant's spot in T20Is has been under the scanner but in ODIs it cannot be questioned.  He scored an incredible match winning hundred in the last ODI against England. He just needs to make sure that he doesn't let his T20 form affect his state of mind. Sanju Samson is the other wicket keeping option in the squad.

All-rounders: Deepak Hooda & Washington Sundar

India need Deepak Hooda in the side to give them the 6th bowling option and for his batting. Shreyas Iyer is also an option but it would mean that India don't have a reliable extra bowler. Sundar is coming back into the international scene after a long injury. He will need time to get back to his best. Shahbaz Ahmed is also an option but Sundar is the clear choice. 

Seamers: Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar & Umran Malik

Both Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar bowled well in the Zimbabwe series. They should be the first choice seamers. Keeping Arshdeep Singh out of the side after his recent performances in T20Is but India have to try out Umran Malik and give him a run in the side. Someone with such pace shouldn't be warming the bench for so long. Kuldeep Sen is another exciting talent that he is in the squad but it is unlikely that he gets a game in this series.

Spinner: Yuzvendra Chahal 

Chahal didn't play a single match at the T20 World Cup and came back well in the T20Is against New Zealand. He will be looking to make an impact in the ODIs because he is an important part of the side. Kuldeep Yadav is a very good option to have on the bench and now that Hardik Pandya has started bowling we might see the return of Kul-Cha. However that won't be happening until after the Bangladesh series as Pandya is rested for that as well. More importantly both Chahal and Kuldeep are not a part of the Bangladesh series.

Also read: Takeaways from India's victory over New Zealand in rain affected T20I series

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