Some Indian players will leave the group ahead of the Test series vs New Zealand. Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj are among the players who will be unavailable for the remaining matches. That makes the series an opportunity for other players to stake a claim, get used to the conditions and make an impression.
Sometimes, a five-match ODI series can become repetitive, particularly when one side gets on top early in the contest. India have done that by winning the first two matches, while the third game was washed out. However, I think that has also given the remaining part of the series a bit of life, particularly for certain players who will now have an opportunity to make their case.
I don’t see the result of this series as having a huge impact on how we expect things to look a year from now, when the 50-over World Cup comes around. What I do expect, though, is that these remaining matches will provide opportunities for players to really stake a claim and put themselves in contention.
When I look at India’s 50-over side, I think it is a really difficult team to get into. If you are a peripheral player, someone who is part of the squad but not necessarily in the first-choice XI, getting into that final 11 is going to be extremely tough. These are precisely the kind of opportunities players need to make the most of.
Some of the main players who you would expect to be part of India’s final XI at the World Cup a year from now will be watching these matches, preparing for a Test match or resting and recovering. They will not be part of this series, which opens the door for others to come in and demonstrate what they can offer.
With Shubman Gill, who has been opening the batting, not being there, I think one of the interesting questions will be who partners Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. That is a selection decision I will be interested in watching.
Having played in New Zealand and opened the batting at quite a few venues there, I know that the conditions can be different from one ground to another. Mount Maunganui, where the fourth and fifth matches will be played, is one of those venues where conditions could present a challenge. My feeling is that, before Christmas, there can be quite a bit in the surface for the bowlers.
India’s bowlers have dominated pretty well throughout this series. If that trend continues, I would probably be tempted to go with Ruturaj Gaikwad at the top of the order. You could also go with Ishan Kishan if you want to give the innings real impetus at the start. However, my gut feeling is that if the ball is nipping around, there is a bit of extra bounce and some lateral movement, you might be better off with a frontline opening batter alongside Rohit Sharma to set the innings up.
India have a number of options they can consider. Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, while the bulk of the top order should remain the same. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer are likely to continue in their familiar roles. I also expect Tilak Varma to come in and bat at number five.
Nitish Kumar Reddy is another player I would expect to feature in the late middle order. So, despite all the absentees after the first three games, India still have a lot of quality available. There is plenty at stake for those coming into the side, and they will have an opportunity to push their claims for a place in the team.
From a bowling perspective, I don’t expect a huge amount of change necessarily. The frontline quicks have done a really good job of setting things up for India. The conditions have not always been straightforward, particularly with the rain around in Hamilton and the surfaces favouring the faster bowlers. I think India’s pace attack has adapted well, and there may not be a need to make too many changes.
I also think the remaining matches will provide a further opportunity for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Obviously, Rohit hasn’t quite hit his straps in the series so far, so he will be looking forward to getting some runs. But, as usual, both have been very dominant throughout their trip to New Zealand so far. I expect them to continue playing an important role in the remaining games.
When I look at New Zealand, they too have swapped and changed their combination. Partly, that has been because of injuries and partly because they are preparing for a Test match series that will come quickly on the back of the ODI fixtures.
Matt Henry returns, while Kyle Jamieson remains in the squad. I think both are still part of the Test match squad, but they could get some bowling in these remaining games. They are two high-class bowlers, particularly when there is plenty of assistance in the surface.
Lockie Ferguson remains out with injury. I think Blair Tickner is out as well now. New Zealand have also had to deal with the absence of players such as Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips and Nathan Smith. With those players missing, I think it is going to be tricky for New Zealand to really get a grip on the series and try to level it at 2-2 with only two games remaining.
Having said that, they will know the conditions at Mount Maunganui really well. They still have a top-quality side, and there are players who can cause problems for India if they get going.
Finn Allen and Tim Seifert are two players who could make a difference if they find their rhythm. Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner also give them quality options, while Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry, if he comes back into the XI, could strengthen their bowling attack. Will Young is another possibility at the top end of the batting order.
So, I think New Zealand certainly have the players who can cause an upset. They have enough quality to make things interesting, particularly in familiar conditions. However, despite all the changes India might make and the players they could be without, I fully expect India to remain dominant in the series.
