![India to take on New Zealand in 5th ODI [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794639058718_IndiatotakeonNewZealandin5thODI.jpg?type=hq)
India to take on New Zealand in 5th ODI [Source: AFP]
India had a golden chance to seal the ODI series against New Zealand on Friday, but the Men in Blue failed to deliver the goods and suffered a crushing 244-run defeat as they were bundled out for a paltry 89, while chasing 334.
India still holds a 2-1 lead, and the Men in Blue will aim to seal the series on Sunday as the two sides will collide in the final game at Mount Maunganui. India could potentially look to make a couple of tweaks in their playing XI, especially since Gurnoor Brar has left the team to join the Test side.
In this article, we take a look at India’s predicted playing XI, with key changes on the cards for the 5th ODI.
Openers and top order: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan(wk), Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma has been in woeful form in the ongoing ODI series, and in the 4th match, he registered a duck. However, for the series finale, India needs their big-game player to fire all guns blazing at the top and play at his aggressive best.
One change India can make at the top is dropping Ruturaj Gaikwad and promoting Ishan Kishan to the top. Kishan has experience playing as an opener, and the left-right combination could be crucial as the Kiwi bowlers might find it hard to adjust their lines and lengths.
Just like Rohit, Virat Kohli, too, registered a duck, and the batter who scored a match-winning fifty in the first ODI will be looking to get back amongst the run-scorers in the final ODI of the series.
Middle order and all-rounders: Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir
Another player who failed to deliver the goods was the stand-in Indian captain, Shreyas Iyer. He has been struggling throughout the series, and India’s number 4 will hope to end the tour on a high on Sunday.
A key change India could make is to replace Ruturaj Gaikwad with Tilak Varma. If Kishan is put at the top alongside Rohit, the number 5 spot will be vacant, and Tilak could be a smart choice. He is good against pace and will come in handy for the Men in Blue.
Axar Patel was India’s joint second-highest run-scorer in the fourth ODI, and he also picked up 2 wickets with the ball. India would hope he can continue to do the good work in the fifth ODI (both with the bat and the ball).
Naman Dhir will play the finisher role in the final ODI against New Zealand, and he will also be crucial with the ball as he can come in handy in the middle overs.
Bowlers: Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Yash Thakur, Arshdeep Singh
Auqib Nabi has been impressive in the ongoing ODI series, and with no Gurnoor Brar in the final ODI, he will be tasked with taking the Kiwi wickets and will be one of the leaders of the bowling attack.
Kuldeep Yadav was criticised for his poor performance in the fourth ODI, but he will be given one more chance as the Mount Maunganui pitch could help the spinners in the first innings.
Arshdeep will be the second pacer on the side, and his spell in the first 10 overs will be crucial for the Men in Blue.
Mohammed Siraj would have been the perfect Gurnoor Brar replacement in the fifth ODI, but with the Test matches coming up, India might want to preserve him for the red-ball matches. Plus, he has not been trusted in the last four games. Hence, expect Yash Thakur to replace Brar in the fifth ODI match.
Thakur has done well in List A cricket, and he can deliver the goods with the new ball in hand.
India Predicted Playing XI vs New Zealand - 5th ODI 2026
Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan(wk), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Yash Thakur, Arshdeep Singh
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