Team India will play New Zealand in the third ODI on Tuesday, January 24, after sealing the series.
In a World Cup year, Rohit Sharma and co. have advocated for stability. They will value each game and cling to their core players.
India’s New Zealand ODI squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (wk), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Suryakumar Yadav, KS Bharat, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik.
India’s expected third ODI team versus New Zealand is below.
Openers: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill
India-New Zealand 2nd ODI
Shubman Gill’s double century and calm unbroken innings have made him India’s best batter thus far. The batter wants another big score to cap a great game.
Rohit Sharma, however, predicts a big score. He looks good and wants to improve his dead rubber conversion rate.
Mid-order: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (wk)
India’s middle order may remain unaltered, although the hosts may rest Virat Kohli and debut Rajat Patidar. Mitchell Santner has kept Kohli from scoring in the series. Thus, the No. 3 batter may get another shot.
Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan have only batted once in the series, in the opening ODI. Both desire time in the middle.
Who should replace wicket-keeper KS Bharat if India gives him an opportunity to play international cricket before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy? Kohli, Suryakumar, and Kishan all deserve to play on Tuesday.
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur
India may also want to rest Hardik Pandya, but the all-rounder is still struggling. His bowling improved in the last game, but his batting has been poor.
Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur may also be kept for batting depth. Shahbaz Ahmed may not play another ODI for India.
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik
Kuldeep Yadav may be favoured over Yuzvendra Chahal in the dead rubber because he bowled little in the second ODI. Umran Malik will replace Mohammad Shami or Mohammed Siraj in the third ODI for India.
Shami played five games in a row after returning from injury. Although Siraj has played a lot of cricket recently, the Men in Blue may give him a break. It’s a tossup.
