India vs New Zealand 2023: Confirmed ODI Series Playing 11
KL Rahul rested as we look at the strongest predicted playing 11 for the 2023 India vs New Zealand 1st ODI.
After a dominating performance vs Sri Lanka in the ODI series, India now move on to their next assignment, the 3-match ODI series vs New Zealand. The ODI series vs New Zealand begins on January 18th at Hyderabad. Unlike Sri Lanka, New Zealand are a more formidable opponent, and only recently they lost the ODI series vs New Zealand in New Zealand.
Overall, India have faced New Zealand 113 times in ODIs. While India have won 55 times, New Zealand have won 50 times with 1 match being tied and 7 matches being a No result. In the last 10 ODIs, India don’t a good record as they have only won once, lost 6 times, and 3 times there was no result.
Meanwhile, the squad sees a few changes for Team India with the likes of KL Rahul and Axar Patel not selected due to personal reasons and Shreyas Iyer ruled out due to injury. In their place, KS Bharat, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Rajat Patidar have been given the opportunity.
So, what could be the best playing 11 for Team India for the 2023 1st ODI vs New Zealand? Well, let’s find out in this article. Before that let’s look at the official squad for Team India for the ODI series vs New Zealand.
India vs New Zealand 2023: Official ODI Series Squad for Team India
Batters: Rajat Patidar, Rohit Sharma [c], Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav & Virat Kohli
Wks: Ishan Kishan & KS Bharat
All-rounders: Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya [vc] & Shahbaz Ahmed
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik & Yuzvendra Chahal
Team India’s Playing 11
With Team India playing back-to-back ODI series, their playing 11 should be in line with the strongest playing 11 that played vs Sri Lanka. Taking the 1st ODI vs Sri Lanka as the benchmark, we should see a few changes in the final playing 11.
The most important change that we are going to witness in the playing 11 is the absence of Shreyas Iyer. With Shreyas Iyer ruled out due to injury, we should see Suryakumar Yadav replacing him in the playing 11. SKY has been terrific in T20Is, but he is yet to make a mark in ODIs. This would be a great opportunity for him to do so.
Secondly, as KL Rahul is rested due to personal reasons, none other than Ishan Kishan should replace him in the playing 11 as the keeper. Now, Ishan Kishan ideally plays as an opener, but there is no option but for him to play at number 5 vs New Zealand. It’s a great challenge for Kishan, but if he succeeds, it’s a great problem that he will solve in Pant’s absence.
Coming to the all-rounders, we should see Washington Sundar replacing Axar Patel in the playing 11. Similar to KL Rahul, Axar Patel is not there in the squad owing to personal reasons. It’s a great opportunity for Sundar, who looks an ideal fit for the number 7 position with bowling being his strength.
Other Changes:
Coming to the spin bowling option, we should see India persisting with Kuldeep Yadav ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal. Kuldeep Yadav did well in both the ODIs he played against Sri Lanka, and there is no reason why he should be left out. Moreover, India may want to give Chahal some more time to recover.
The rest of the playing 11 should remain the same with Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli in the top 3, Hardik Pandya at 6, and Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Umran Malik as the top 3 pacers. So, here’s the best playing 11 for the 1st ODI vs New Zealand.
India vs New Zealand 2023 – ODI Series Predicted Playing 11 for India:
Rohit Sharma [c], Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan [wk], Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj & Umran Malik
For New Zealand, the playing 11 should be in line with the one that played against Pakistan recently. New Zealand seldom do changes in the playing 11, so we can expect them to repeat the same 11 vs India; unless of course based on what the pitch demands.
India vs New Zealand 2023 – ODI Series Predicted Playing 11 for New Zealand:
Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham [c&wk], Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee & Lockie Ferguson
Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for Team India for the 2023 1st ODI vs New Zealand? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com
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Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.
Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.
Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.
