Shreyas Iyer to Lead India Against New Zealand in Fourth ODI as Visitors Target Series Victory

MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand–Shreyas Iyer will take over as India’s One Day International captain when the team faces New Zealand in the fourth match of their five-game series Friday at Bay Oval, with the visitors looking to secure the series after taking a 2-0 lead.

India enters the match following victories in Auckland and Wellington, while the third ODI in Hamilton was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of rain. Another win would give India an unassailable 3-0 advantage, leaving New Zealand needing victories in both remaining matches to level the series.

Iyer assumes the captaincy after regular skipper Shubman Gill and wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul left the ODI squad to prepare for the upcoming Test series.

The leadership change gives Iyer an opportunity to guide a reshaped Indian lineup that still includes experienced batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Ishan Kishan has been appointed vice-captain and is among the team’s wicketkeeping options. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir provide additional batting choices as India considers its lineup for the final two matches.

The remaining fixtures could also provide opportunities for emerging players, including fast bowlers Auqib Nabi and Yash Thakur, to strengthen their cases for future selection.

India’s opening two victories came in rain-affected matches, leaving the team facing the possibility of its first complete 50-over contest of the series.

Kohli played a major role in the opening victory with a 74-run innings, while India’s bowlers dominated the second ODI in Wellington.

Gurnoor Brar claimed four wickets as New Zealand was dismissed for 134, helping India establish control of the contest.

The Indian bowling attack will look to maintain that performance at Bay Oval, although the batting order will need adjustments following the departures of Gill and Rahul.

New Zealand also faces significant selection changes, with several established players leaving the ODI squad to prepare for Test cricket.

Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips and Nathan Smith are unavailable for the remaining matches, while fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out because of a calf injury.

Blair Tickner will also miss the fourth ODI after being placed under the mandatory stand-down period following a concussion substitution during the second match.

The hosts are expected to welcome back Matt Henry, while Finn Allen has joined the squad for the final two games.

Uncapped fast bowler Brett Randell has received his first international call-up and could make his New Zealand debut Friday.

Captain Mitchell Santner will be tasked with managing a reorganized side that includes Will Young, Tim Seifert, Nick Kelly and Allen in the batting lineup.

New Zealand will also rely on Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson and Henry to provide experience and consistency in the bowling attack.

Although the hosts have produced competitive passages during the series, they have struggled to sustain pressure against India’s batting and bowling units.

Bay Oval is expected to offer opportunities for batters once early movement with the new ball subsides. Fast bowlers, however, could play an important role during the opening overs.

For India, the match represents an opportunity to clinch the series under a new captain while assessing additional squad options ahead of future international commitments.

For New Zealand, a victory is essential to keep its hopes of drawing the series alive.

The fourth ODI is scheduled to begin Friday, November 13, at 7:30 a.m. India Standard Time at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

The match will be televised in India on the Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available through Sony LIV.

India squad: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (Vice-Captain, Wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (Wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav.

New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (Captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Brett Randell, Tim Seifert and Will Young. (Source: IANS)