Shreyas Iyer takes over as India look to wrap up series
New Zealand, who haven't lost a home ODI series since January 2019, face the prospect of needing two wins from two to force a draw
After the washout in Hamilton, India cannot lose this ODI series and New Zealand's best possible outcome is to force a series draw. With rain having played a part in all three games so far, the move to Mount Maunganui offers some respite, with clear weather forecast for the fourth ODI, although the city did witness rain a week ago.
The change in venue also brings a change in India's personnel. Shreyas Iyer takes over the captaincy, with Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj joining the Test preparations along with some members of the coaching staff. The focus will be on how the new-look batting combination fares, particularly with opportunities opening up for the likes of Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma.
New Zealand have also made several changes to their squad, bringing in Finn Allen, Mitch Hay, Dean Foxcroft and Brett Randell, with the regulars - including Test skipper Tom Latham - having left the ODI squad to begin their preparations for next week's first Test at the Basin Reserve.
When: Friday, November 13 at 3:00 PM local time (7:30 AM IST)
Where: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
What to expect: Clear weather is forecast for match day. Going by the recent ODIs at this venue, the conditions could favour the bowlers. The last time a team crossed the 300-run mark here was in February 2020, when New Zealand posted 300 for 5 in reply to India's 296 for 7.
Team News:
New Zealand: Matt Henry could return for the fourth ODI after recovering from a head injury sustained in a collision with Devon Conway during training ahead of the series. He is also recovering from a low-grade quadriceps tear sustained during the second T20I. Blair Tickner remains unavailable, serving the ICC's mandatory seven-day stand-down period after being struck by a ball while batting during the second ODI.
Probable XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Will Young, Nick Kelly, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Dean Foxcroft, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher
India: Ishan Kishan is likely to open with Rohit Sharma in Gill's absence, while Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma are options to replace Rahul. On the bowling front, Mohammed Siraj could get a game, having last played an ODI against West Indies.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad/Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Auqib Nabi, Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh
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What they said:
"To their credit, these Indian bowlers have come to New Zealand and adapted well to the conditions. Hats off to them. No matter who you play in international cricket, you have to adapt to the wicket and the opposition, and they've done that extremely well" - Tim Seifert praises India's young pace attack.
"Obviously, if you have pace, then it's very good. But I back my skills. I've reached so far mainly because of my skill. Pace is definitely a plus factor, but I rely more on my skill. Whatever I've done in the domestic circuit will come in use at the international level" - Auqib Nabi rates skill ahead of speed.
