Sat Jan 10 03:20:00 UTC 2026: Headline: India and New Zealand Gear Up for ODI Series Opener in Vadodara

The Story:
India is set to face New Zealand in the first of a three-match One Day International (ODI) series starting on Sunday in Vadodara. The match marks the return of key players Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer to the squad. Fans are eager to see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in action. Changes in the playing eleven are expected due to the returning players, impacting the roles of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who previously filled in during their absence.

Key Points:

  • The first ODI between India and New Zealand is scheduled for Sunday in Vadodara.
  • Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are returning to the team after recovering from injuries.
  • Yashasvi Jaiswal, who opened with Rohit Sharma in Gill’s absence, is likely to sit out.
  • Shreyas Iyer is expected to reclaim his No. 4 position, sidelining Ruturaj Gaikwad, who scored a century in his place.
  • KL Rahul will continue to keep wickets, keeping Rishabh Pant out of the ODI team.
  • The probable playing eleven includes Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj.
  • Jasprit Bumrah is rested for this series, with Mohammed Siraj leading the pace attack.

Key Takeaways:

  • Player availability significantly impacts team composition and strategy.
  • Performances in previous matches, while valuable, may not guarantee a place in the team when key players return.
  • Team dynamics and established roles play a critical role in the selection process.
  • The return of captain Shubman Gill signifies that the team strategy is leaning towards experience leadership for this crucial series.
  • The team seems to have a fixed middle order, where key players like Shreyas Iyer can come in the team.

    Read More