Sports/Alive News: India’s ODI captain Shubman Gill has expressed confidence in the team’s preparations ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning on November 4. He said the return of all-rounder Hardik Pandya would strengthen India’s lower middle order and provide better balance to the side.
Speaking to reporters in Auckland on Tuesday, ahead of the opening match, Gill said Hardik’s presence would help settle the team’s batting positions at No. 7 and No. 8.
“If Hardik Pandya comes into the team, our number seven and number eight positions will also be sorted. We will look like a much more balanced team in terms of batting,” Gill said.
Gill confident of India’s chances
Gill said any Indian team taking the field had the ability to defeat any opposition. He added that winning the series in New Zealand would boost the confidence of younger players and help the team prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
India will field a combination of experienced and young players. Senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will lead the batting line-up, while the bowling attack includes Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Aukib Nabi and Kuldeep Yadav.
However, Jasprit Bumrah has not been included in the white-ball squad. Hardik Pandya is also unavailable due to injury, while Ravindra Jadeja has been left out despite featuring in the previous ODI series against the West Indies.
New Zealand conditions to help World Cup preparations
Gill said the conditions in New Zealand would offer valuable preparation for the 2027 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
He believes the pitches and weather conditions could be similar to those expected in South Africa, giving Indian batters and bowlers useful experience ahead of the tournament.
