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Indian selectors are likely to pick the ODI squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour next week. The five-match ODI series between India and New Zealand will get underway on November 4 in Auckland, and the selectors are preparing different plans for the last two matches.
The selectors want to first watch some of the players involved in the ongoing India A series against Australia A. They are also preparing an alternate squad because some of India’s regular Test players could leave the ODI series early to start their preparations for the three-match Test series. Earlier, Shreyas Iyer reaches career-best ICC T20I Ranking after maiden century vs WI.
Selectors prepare backup plan for New Zealand ODIs
As reported by Times of India, the ongoing series between India A and Australia A has given the selectors a good chance to watch the players who are fighting for a place in the ODI squad for the New Zealand tour. Some of them could be picked for the last two ODIs against New Zealand.
The selectors are now looking at how to manage the ODI and Test squads together. Some of the players who are regulars in the Test team are expected to leave the ODI setup early so they can get enough time to prepare for the Test matches.
Because of this, the selectors want to keep another group of players ready for the last two ODIs in New Zealand, and the India A series could play an important role in picking the players.
Mahli Beardman tears through India A as Australia A seal huge 125-run win
However, India A suffered a big setback in their first 50-over match against Australia A as they lost the game by 125 runs. The Australian bowlers made life difficult for the Indian batters, with 21-year-old fast bowler Mahli Beardman leading the attack.
Beardman made a strong comeback after spending seven months on the sideline after being diagnosed with a lumbar bone stress fracture, as he picked up 4 wickets for just 23 runs. Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Prabhsimran Singh, and Suryansh Shedge could not handle the young pacer.
Rajat Patidar was the only batter who managed to put up some fight. He scored 53 runs as India A were bowled out for just 149 while chasing 275. Amid this, Virat Kohli trolls Rohit Sharma’s famous ‘Woh’ habit in hilarious new Ro-Ko advertisement.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns for India’s New Zealand tour
The BCCI has already announced their T20I squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour. Shreyas Iyer will continue to lead the side, with most of the players from the ongoing five-match T20I series against the West Indies at home retained.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s selection was the major highlight of the announcement on October 6. The experienced seamer is returning to India’s T20I setup after last playing in the format for the country in November 2022.
India A will also play three multi-day matches against New Zealand A. Changes are expected in that squad as well, with players likely to be rotated between different assignments.
The Test series in New Zealand will be especially important for India, as the results will have a major impact on their chances of making it to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final.
