Shreyas Iyer debuts as captain, India bowl first

Stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl against New Zealand in the fourth ODI at Bay Oval on Friday.

India included Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, and Kuldeep Yadav in the playing eleven. However, selectors surprisingly left fast bowler Mohammed Siraj on the bench for this crucial match.

Iyer became the 29th cricketer to captain India in men’s ODIs. Regular skipper Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Anshul Kamboj departed early to prepare for the upcoming Test series.

The visitors currently lead the five-match series 2-0. Rain washed out the third ODI in Hamilton, leaving India needing one victory to clinch the bilateral series.

Gaikwad opens the batting alongside veteran Rohit Sharma, while wicketkeeper Kishan strengthens the middle order. Spinner Kuldeep finally plays his first game of the ongoing white-ball tour.

Iyer cited a dry pitch and expected evening dew behind his decision to chase. He emphasized treating the final two matches like knockouts to maintain their winning momentum.

Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner announced six changes to his lineup. Several first-choice Kiwi players also exited early to focus on their upcoming Test preparations.

Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Finn Allen, Kristian Clarke, Michael Bracewell, and Matt Henry joined the hosts’ playing eleven. Santner welcomed this opportunity to build squad depth before the World Cup.

Santner noted that the sunny, windy conditions would make for a good batting surface with decent pace and bounce. Both teams now test their bench strength in Mount Maunganui.

India fielded Rohit, Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Iyer, Kishan, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep, Gurnoor Brar, and Arshdeep Singh against a revamped Black Caps side.