Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan together for India (Source: AFP Photos)
India will have a new squad to pick playing XI for the fourth and fifth ODIs against New Zealand, scheduled for November 13 and November 15 respectively, both in Mount Maunganui. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan, in all likelihood, will both be there for the Men in Blue.
And a report from Times of India (TOI) revealed that exactly where Gaikwad and Kishan will come to bat, at least for the IND vs NZ 4th ODI, to be held at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Set To Replace Shubman Gill At Top, Ishan Kishan In Middle
India will not have the services of full-time ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill for the remaining two matches in this 50-over series. They will not have KL Rahul either, as both of them are preparing for the two-match Test series, set to get underway on November 19.
Kishan and Gaikwad will replace them in India playing XI for fourth ODI vs New Zealand. While Kishan will keep wickets and bat in the middle order under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, Gaikwad will replace Shubman Gill and open with Rohit Sharma.
"As far as the fourth ODI against New Zealand is concerned, India are likely to make two changes, with Ruturaj Gaikwad coming in as an opener in place of Shubman Gill, while Ishan Kishan is expected to retain his place in the middle order," a TOI report read, confirming the development.
India Already 2-0 Up Vs New Zealand In ODIs
India are already 2-0 up in the five-match ODI series. They did not get a single opportunity to have a a ball to play last time around despite the toss, courtesy of scintillating rain on Tuesday at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
Prior to that, two matches were rain-marred as well between India and New Zealand. Thankfully, India won both of them, and now, are in a position in which they are confirmed not to lose the 50-over assignment.
Even if New Zealand manage to win both their matches after late additions, the series will be shared.
