Series on the line as India and New Zealand rotate squads
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India in striking distance of series Win
Mount Maunganui: India have one win away from a series win in the fourth ODI against New Zealand at the Bay Oval as the hosts look to protect their proud home record.
India have won two games of the five-match series so far, with one washed out. A win today will see them claim the series outright. New Zealand have not lost an ODI bilateral series at home in seven years, and their last loss was to India. To keep this streak going, they must win both games.
ODI bilateral series
India have won two games of the five-match series so far, with one washed out. A win today will see them claim the series outright. New Zealand have not lost an ODI bilateral series at home in seven years, and their last loss was to India. To keep this streak going, they must win both games.
However, there is tight scheduling as a Test series begins just three days after this series ends. As a result, key red-ball players have been released early by both boards to attend a Test training camp. This means both teams will be playing a transition XI.
Series Snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Series format | Five-match ODI series |
| India’s position | Leading, with two wins and one no-result |
| New Zealand’s home record | No bilateral ODI series loss at home in seven years |
| Last NZ home series defeat | Against India |
| Venue | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
| Test series start | Three days after the ODIs end |
Who’s Missing
| Team | Players released or rested |
|---|---|
| India | Shubman Gill (white-ball captain), Anshul Kamboj, some support staff |
| New Zealand | Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Henry Nicholls |
| NZ replacements | Finn Allen, Mitch Hay, Dean Foxcroft, Nick Kelly, Brett Randell |
Key Insights
- Shreyas Iyer gets a chance: With Gill rested, Shreyas Iyer will captain the side in ODIs for the first time. Iyer is well aware of what the job entails as he already captains the T20I side. However, he will need to perform well with the bat in order to perform well. The high bounce and seam-friendly tracks in Auckland and Hamilton highlighted his lack of ability against the short ball. This will give him a chance to prove himself on a better surface.
- Pitch should be batter-friendly: The weather is looking good and the heavy rain from earlier in the week has gone. This means a full day/night game should take place. The pitch should be a lot flatter than the seam-friendly tracks we saw earlier in the series. Both sides should be able to play more freely after their survival mode.
- Toss could play a big part: The chasing side has won the last 4 day/night games at this ground. This could mean the toss is a big decision.
- New Zealand’s new faces will need to step up: New Zealand will have to turn to their new faces. It’s a good reminder that depth is important in a busy schedule, with India changing their bowling attack.
Players to Watch
| Player | Team | Why he matters |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Seifert | New Zealand | Has had an extended run at the top of the order due to injuries and needs a big score to secure his ODI spot |
| Ishan Kishan | India | Most likely opening partner for Rohit Sharma |
| Mohammed Siraj | India | Set to return to the XI with Kamboj gone |
| Kuldeep Yadav | India | Strong option as a second frontline spinner, depending on the pitch |
| Shreyas Iyer | India | Captaining the ODI side for the first time and looking to fix his short-ball issues |
What’s Next
If India win, the series is theirs. If New Zealand win, it goes to the final game, with the hosts still needing a victory there to protect their home record. After the ODIs, attention turns to the Test series, where the rested stars return.
FAQ
Where is the 4th ODI between India and New Zealand?
Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval.
What is the series scoreline?
India are leading the 5-match series, winning two of the games and one washout.
Why is this series important for New Zealand?
They have not lost a bilateral ODI series at home in 7 years and need to win both games to maintain this.
Who is captaining India?
Shreyas Iyer is captaining in his first ODI series. Shubman Gill has been rested.
Who is missing from the New Zealand squad?
Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith and Henry Nicholls have all been released from Test camp.
What are the expected pitch and weather conditions?
The weather should be fine, with the pitch being more batsman-friendly.
Is the toss a factor?
Possibly. The chasing team has won the last 4 day/night games at the Bay Oval.
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