The ODI series between India and New Zealand has started. The first match of the 5-match series is being played at Eden Park in Auckland. Indian captain Shubman Gill has won the toss and decided to bowl first. Shubman told during the toss that Anshul Kamboj, Aaqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh are playing as bowlers, while Naman Dheer and Akshar Patel will play as all-rounders. Pace bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy present in the squad has not been played.

Interestingly, Nitish was kept in the squad only for the first ODI match of the series but he was not kept in the playing XI. Nitish played all 5 matches of the T20 series. He has also been included in the Test team. In such a situation, it is possible that he may have been given rest as a precautionary measure.

Will batting become weak due to Nitish not playing?

The Indian team has come with 5 specialist batsmen. Anshul Kamboj and Aaqib Nabi can also bat in the lower order. In this way, Team India has batting till number 9. In such a situation, not playing Nitish doesn't seem to have much impact on the batting.

Rohit Sharma and Shubman will open. Virat Kohli will play first down, while Shreyas Iyer will play at number-4. KL Rahul or Akshar Patel can come at number-5. Naman Dheer will have to bat with Kamboj and Aaqib Nabi in the lower order.

New Zealand team is also playing with 4 fast bowlers

The Kiwi team has also decided to play 4 fast bowlers. Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Blair Tickner and Jacob Duffy are all playing together. Mitchell Santner will lead the spin attack. He will also get support from Glenn Phillips.

Playing XI of both the teams:

New Zealand – Will Young, Tim Seifert, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham (wk), Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Blair Tickner, Jacob Duffy

India – Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Naman Dheer, Axar Patel, Anshul Kamboj, Aaqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh