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Gill Reveals India's Top 4 Batting Order for NZ Series
4 Nov
Summary
- India's top four batters for the New Zealand ODI series will be all right-handers.
- KL Rahul and Axar Patel will rotate at number five and six based on match situations.
- Hardik Pandya needs to play domestic cricket before returning to the Indian squad.
Shubman Gill, captaining India in the first three ODIs against New Zealand, has outlined the team's batting lineup for the five-match series commencing in Auckland. The top four positions are fixed and will feature all right-handed batters: Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer. This lineup aims for stability leading up to the ODI World Cup.
For the crucial No. 5 and No. 6 batting slots, India will employ a flexible approach, utilizing left-handers KL Rahul and Axar Patel. Their inclusion will be determined by the specific demands of each match, offering tactical variety. Gill also addressed the status of all-rounder Hardik Pandya, emphasizing his need to regain match fitness through domestic cricket before rejoining the national team.
Gill also reassured concerns about a previous neck injury, stating he experienced no discomfort during recent batting and fielding sessions. He confirmed the injury, which occurred in November 2025, has fully healed.
