India won the toss and elected to field first against New Zealand in the opening ODI at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. This match marks a significant milestone for the venue, as it is the first men’s international fixture to be held at the ground. While the stadium recently hosted three women’s ODIs—all won by India against the West Indies—this clash presents a new challenge under the lights for the men’s circuit.
The decision to bowl first was primarily driven by the expected impact of evening dew. Despite the historical data from the women’s matches showing that seamers found movement in the second innings, Indian captain Shubman Gill anticipates that moisture will make the ball skid and simplify batting conditions as the night progresses. New Zealand skipper Michael Bracewell echoed this sentiment, admitting he also would have preferred to chase.
Tactical Team Selections and New Faces
New Zealand entered the contest with a settled lineup announced a day in advance. The Black Caps handed an international debut to seam-bowling allrounder Kristian Clarke, looking to bolster their middle-overs utility. A notable inclusion is legspinner Adithya Ashok; born in Vellore, Ashok is set to play his first international match against the country of his birth, adding a personal narrative to the high-stakes encounter.
India’s XI highlights a balanced approach with significant depth in both departments. The hosts have opted for six bowling options, including the spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar. The pace attack is led by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, supported by the emerging Harshit Rana.
Shreyas Iyer Returns to Strengthen the Middle Order
A major talking point for the Indian side is the return of Shreyas Iyer. After a lengthy stint on the sidelines recovering from a spleen injury sustained during the tour of Australia, Iyer reclaimed his spot at number four. His presence provides a stabilized bridge between the top-order power of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and the finishing capabilities of KL Rahul and the allrounders.
The match serves as a crucial test for both sides as they adjust to the brand-new conditions in Vadodara. With a bowling-heavy lineup and the return of key senior players, India looks to maintain their dominant home record, while New Zealand aims to use their varied bowling attack to defend a total despite the looming threat of dew.
The Lineups:
- India XI: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
- New Zealand XI: Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zak Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Adithya Ashok.
