Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav (Agency Image)
Gill also highlighted the importance of the series in India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. Captain Shubman Gill confirmed that India have opted for a pace-heavy attack, going in with four fast bowlers and two all-rounders. Captain Mitchell Santner confirmed that Conway was making progress but would sit out the opening encounter.
Explaining his decision at the toss, Gill said: “We’re going to bowl first. So in terms of that, it’ll be a really good experience for us,” he said. But like I said, it gives guys opportunities,” he said.
A little bit of overcast, if there’s any reduction in the overs, it’s always good to have a target on the board. “Extremely important, I’d say. The conditions that we are going to get here would be a lot more similar to the ones in South Africa as compared to other parts of the world. “Conway’s doing well. Santner also pointed to the opportunities created by squad rotation amid a demanding international schedule. “With the schedules in both teams, it’s been a little bit more rotation than probably would be usually.
India won the toss and elected to field first in the opening ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday. Obviously a bit of a head knock yesterday. So he’s just going to rest up and he’s obviously not playing today,” Santner said.