Why Shubman Gill is captaining India for the last time in ODI series

Shubman Gill and Mitchell Santner (AFP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill is leading India for the final time in the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand. The third ODI at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday is his last match as both captain and player in the five-match series.Gill will miss the fourth and fifth ODIs as the BCCI has decided to rest some key players ahead of the two-Test series against New Zealand.

After a two-hour delay due to rain and a wet outfield, India won the toss and elected to bowl in the third ODI. The visitors, who lead the series 2-0, are looking to complete a clean sweep.The first two matches were also affected by rain. India won the opening ODI in Auckland by five wickets while chasing a revised DLS target of 143 in 22.2 overs.In the second ODI in Wellington, India were declared winners under the DLS method after rain stopped play with the visitors at 113/7 while chasing 135. India were four runs ahead of the DLS par score at that stage.

Why is Shubman Gill playing his last match of the ODI series?

The BCCI had announced separate squads for the first three and the last two ODIs against New Zealand. The decision was taken to manage the workload of key players ahead of the Test series.Gill was named captain for the first three ODIs, while Shreyas Iyer will take charge of the team in the final two matches.

The BCCI also named Iyer as vice-captain for the first three matches and Ishan Kishan as vice-captain for the last two ODIs.Gill, along with KL Rahul and some other key players, will not be part of the squad for the remaining two matches. They will get time to prepare for the upcoming Test series.

Tight schedule ahead of India-New Zealand Tests

The fourth and fifth ODIs will be played on November 13 and 15 respectively at Mount Maunganui.The first Test of the two-match series will begin on November 19 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.This leaves the Indian players with just four days between the final ODI and the start of the Test series. The short gap makes workload management important, especially for players expected to feature in both formats.The two-Test series is also important for India's chances of reaching the World Test Championship final. The team management will want its key players to be fresh and ready for the longer format.