Shreyas Iyer Springs Surprise By Leaving Out India Veteran, Makes 3 Changes For 4th ODI vs New Zealand

India's stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer surprised many as he announced the names of three players who came into the side for the 4th ODI against New Zealand at the Bay Oval on Friday. With Shubman Gill and KL Rahul departing to prepare for the upcoming Test series against the Kiwis, the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan came into the playing XI. Axar Patel was replaced by Kuldeep Yadav in the team, but most surprisingly, Mohammed Siraj was left on the bench, as India opted for the young pace trio of Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh and Auqib Nabi.

Siraj warmed the bench for the first three matches of the series but was expected to be given an opportunity in the 4th and the 5th ODI. However, as India's stand-in skipper Shreyas Iyer announced the team composition after winning the toss, Siraj was left out on the bench again.

"We'll bowl first," Shreyas said after winning the toss. "I think it's about chasing, and when we looked at the wicket yesterday, there was a little bit amount of grass, but today it looks pretty dry, and also considering the dew coming in in the evening, one of the reasons we have opted to bowl first."

When asked about the objectives after taking over the leadership role from Shubman Gill, Iyer said: "Well, it's important firstly to analyse the matches we've played before. We couldn't get proper games, but still I think the approach and attitude was phenomenal, and coming into this one, we are going to definitely treat it as a knockout. So the coming two games, it's going to be crucial and of cardinal importance."

Concluding the chat by announcing the changes, Iyer named the three players who came in. "Ruturaj, Ishan Kishan and Kuldeep Yadav," he revealed.

New Zealand, on the other hand, made six changes in their team.

"We got Nick Kelly at three, Foxy (Foxcroft) in as well at four, Finn Allen, Kristian Clarke, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry. It gives guys opportunities, which is nice. Obviously building the depth of our team leading into a World Cup year and then I guess them challenging themselves against a very, very good team," Mitchell Santner said after losing the toss.

New Zealand Playing XI: Tim Seifert(w), Will Young, Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Matthew Fisher

India Playing XI:Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer(c), Ishan Kishan(w), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh

Featured Video Of The Day

CWG 2026 Weightlifting Gold Medallist, Mirabai Chanu Get Hero's Welcome in Delhi