Shubman Gill (Image credit: TimesofIndia.com)
“We will have floating approach for no.5 and no.6. The India captain suffered a cervical disc bulge and neck spasm that affected his nerves in late 2025. Date Day Match Venue Time (IST) November 4 Wednesday 1st ODI Auckland 7:30 AM November 7 Saturday 2nd ODI Wellington 7:30 AM November 10 Tuesday 3rd ODI Hamilton 7:30 AM November 13 Friday 4th ODI Mount Maunganui 7:30 AM November 15 Sunday 5th ODI Mount Maunganui 7:30 AM
So bit flexible,” Gill said ahead of the opening ODI match. However, Gill said he was not experiencing any discomfort and had completed his batting and fielding duties without any problems. No issue at all,” he said.
Our top four is set, all right-handers. So if lefty is needed, Axar bhai goes and depending on match situation even KL bhai can go. The injury kept him out of international cricket for nearly a month. “No issue… I batter for close to one and a half hours and did my fielding without any trouble too.
5 and No. 6 positions, with Axar Patel and KL Rahul expected to take up these roles depending on the match situation.
Gill said India will adopt a flexible approach for the No. The top four batting positions are settled, while the team is open to making changes in the middle order, according to Gill. India captain Shubman Gill has outlined the team’s plans for the middle order ahead of the five-match ODI series against New Zealand.
India will begin the series against New Zealand on Wednesday at Eden Park in Auckland.