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Gill says India can beat anyone as the ODI series starts at Eden Park
India's one-day captain sounded confident on the eve of the five-match series in New Zealand. Both sides go into Wednesday's opener in Auckland without key players, with Prasidh Krishna ruled out and Devon Conway concussed.
Key points
- Shubman Gill said a series win in New Zealand would be a big confidence booster.
- Prasidh Krishna is out with a hamstring injury; Auqib Nabi joins for the first three ODIs.
- New Zealand are without Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman and Devon Conway for the opener.
Shubman Gill has set the tone for India’s one-day series in New Zealand with a confident message. On the eve of the first of five ODIs at Eden Park in Auckland, India’s captain said in a video put out by the BCCI that any Indian team can beat anyone.
“I feel that any Indian team playing on the ground is capable of beating any other team,” Gill said. “If we win the series here, it will be a big confidence booster for us.” He also flagged the odd shape of Eden Park, where the straight boundaries are short. “The dimensions are a bit unusual, and I think it will be a challenge for us to find the right placement for the fielders,” he said.
India arrive after losing the last two T20Is, though they still took that series 3-2. The one-day squad brings back Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, with Shreyas Iyer as Gill’s deputy for the first three games. Jasprit Bumrah is not part of the ODI squads.
India have one setback already. Prasidh Krishna has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and left-arm seamer Auqib Nabi has joined the squad for the first three matches. Nitish Kumar Reddy is set to play the opener before he leaves to join India A.
New Zealand are hit harder. Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman are out of the series with injuries, with Henry Nicholls and Tim Seifert called in. Devon Conway misses the opener after a concussion in training, and Matt Henry needs a fitness check. Mitchell Santner leads the side.
Chasing sides have won 47 of the 86 men’s ODIs played at Eden Park, against 34 for teams batting first, so the captain who wins the toss is likely to bowl. Sunny weather is forecast, with no rain expected. The match starts at 7:30 am IST on Wednesday. The second ODI is in Wellington on 7 November.