India Playing 11 for NZ vs IND 1st ODI: Who Will Play & Who Misses Out?

India will look to carry their winning momentum into the ODI leg of their New Zealand tour after clinching the five-match T20I series 3-2. While the Men in Blue wrapped up the series despite losing the final encounter, the Black Caps will enter the 50-over contest with renewed confidence after finishing on a high.

With the first ODI approaching, attention will shift towards India's team combination, particularly the return of two of the greatest batsmen of all time, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who will headline the batting lineup. Let's look how the India Playing 11 For 1st ODI vs NZ will look like.

India’s Predicted Playing XI for 1st ODI vs New Zealand

Captain Shubman Gill will lead India playing 11 for 1st ODI against New Zealand, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli expected to add experience and stability to the top order. KL Rahul is likely to shoulder wicketkeeping duties, while Ishan Kishan provides another option in the middle order.

Shreyas Iyer's inclusion will be worth watching, with Ruturaj Gaikwad also competing for a batting spot. Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy could offer additional flexibility, although India's final combination will depend on the balance between batting depth and bowling resources.

India's pace attack could see Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar feature, with Auqib Nabi also available following his inclusion in the squad. Left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav might have to wait for his opportunity, however, a lot will depend on the pitch and conditions.

India Playing 11 For 1st ODI vs NZ (Probable)

Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar

India Preparing For ODI World Cup Next Year

The five-match ODI series will be an important opportunity for India to strengthen their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is less than a year away. The team management will want to assess its batting combinations, identify dependable middle-order options and build a settled bowling attack.

The presence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be particularly significant as India look to make the most of their experience in the 50-over format. Meanwhile, opportunities for emerging players such as Naman Dhir, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi could help expand India's options.

India will also need to manage workloads carefully, with the Test series against New Zealand following the ODIs. The opening clash at Auckland's Eden Park, the smallest cricket stadium in the world, on November 4 will provide the first indication of India's plans for the longer-term World Cup build-up.