At this moment, it is too easy for the visitors as India clinched the five-match ODI series against New Zealand with an unassailable 3-0 lead on Monday. After clinching the series, India look to test their bench strength in the 4th ODI against New Zealand.
Team India will visit the Seddon Park in Hamilton for the fourth ODI on January 31. Indian skipper Virat Kohli has been rested for the rest of the series and also for the T20I series against New Zealand.
In his absence, Indian opener and vice-captain Rohit Sharma will lead the team for the remaining matches.
The opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and skipper Rohit Sharma will once again lead the platform and both have been the leading run scorers of the series with 169 and 160 runs respectively. While Sharma guided India home in the first and the third ODI, Dhawan’s half-century helped India win the second ODI. Virat’s exit from the team means that Shubman Gill could be drafted in the No. 3 role.
Dinesh Karthik, Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav, all have done well in recent games and will be expected to take the innings towards a decent total in case of early jolts. But it is expected that one of these three could be rested following the return of MS Dhoni in the playing XI. While Kohli had publicly backed Rayudu for the 2-down position, Jadhav’s all-round ability is likely to see him get the nod over Karthik.
Ravindra Jadeja also has an outside chance of being picked, with either of Kuldeep Yadav or Yuzvendra Chahal rested in place of the left-arm finger spinner.
Khaleel Ahmed could replace Mohammed Shami as the third and final change ahead of the fourth ODI against the Kiwis. Shami was a regular in the Test team against Australia too, and considering the fact that India have already won the series, he could be rested while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Khaleel take on the lead seamers’ role, with Hardik Pandya in support.
India’s expected Playing XI for the fourth ODI against New Zealand:
Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Khaleel Ahmed, Kuldeep Yadav.
