Team India skipper Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first in the first ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday. The toss was delayed by 20 minutes due to rain as the pitch was left covered for a while. Considering the overhead conditions, the team went in with four fast bowlers and two all-rounders.

The team also went in with two all-rounders, which meant that Kuldeep Yadav didn’t find a place in the team.

The 31-year-old last played for the national side in the series against West Indies and had done well with the ball during the ODI series, grabbing seven wickets and claiming his 200th scalp during the series.

One of the reasons could be the nature of the wicket, as it left covered for a while and there could be generous seam and bounce on offer.

Speaking at the toss, Gill said, “Going to bowl first, since it is overcast, and if there is reduction in overs, would be good to bat second.”

He went on to add, “The conditions that we are going to get here would be a lot more similar to the ones in South Africa as compared to, you know, other parts of the world. So in terms of that, it’ll be a really good experience for us, you know, if we get some success here.”

Seamers Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi, who made their debut in the recent series vs WI, were included in the side.

Other pacers are Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar, with the latter impressing everyone with his pace and bounce since his debut early this year.

Mitchell Santner said, “Quick turnaround from the T20I series, and we have to go again on a good pitch.” Devon Conway was ruled out of the game after suffering an injury during practice when he collided with pacer Matt Henry. This meant that Tim Seifert was included in the side and will open the batting with Will Young, with Henry Nicholls at number three.

NZ vs IND playing XIs

New Zealand – Tim Seifert, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner

India – Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Naman Dhir, Anshul KambojAuqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh