The upcoming five-match ODI series between India and New Zealand promises to be a tightly contested affair, according to former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara. Offering his insight on the series starting Wednesday, Pujara believes the contest will end in a 2-2 draw. The primary reason behind this split prediction is India's plan to field different combinations. Regular skipper Shubman Gill and vice-captain KL Rahul are scheduled to miss the final two ODIs in order to begin preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series starting November 19. With the ODI leg concluding on November 15, Pujara notes that these tactical line-up shifts could hand the visiting New Zealand side a minor edge in the closing games.
Competitive Fixtures and Weather Contingencies in New Zealand
Explaining his reasoning on a sports talk broadcast, Pujara highlighted that India will field a settled setup for the first three matches before transitioning to a modified line-up for the remaining two games. According to him, changing team dynamics mid-series naturally opens up an advantage for the opponent. Nevertheless, he backed the Indian squad to deliver strong performances in the initial three encounters. While the last two matches present a tougher challenge, he anticipates hard-fought battles throughout. Additionally, considering the unpredictable climate in New Zealand, Pujara expects at least one fixture to be rained out during the five-game rubber.
Kohli vs Rohit: Pujara Weighs in on Century Expectations
When asked to choose who between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is more likely to reach three figures during the series, Pujara favored Kohli. He pointed out that Rohit's tactical responsibility often revolves around providing explosive starts in the powerplay. Although Rohit might adjust his strategy to suit New Zealand pitch conditions and aim for big scores, Kohli's position at number three provides a more structured platform. Batting in the top three allows a player to control the tempo of the innings, making it inherently easier to build a hundred in ODI cricket. Consequently, Pujara believes Kohli holds a higher statistical probability of registering centuries during this leg of the tour.
Abhishek Nayar Highlights Test Focus and Gautam Gambhir's Mission
Former Indian batting coach Abhishek Nayar also shared his perspective on India fielding split squads to accommodate red-ball preparation. Nayar stressed that the upcoming Test series holds massive significance for head coach Gautam Gambhir, especially after New Zealand recorded a surprising Test series victory on Indian soil in 2024. Describing the upcoming Test matches as a crucial test for Gambhir and Indian cricket enthusiasts alike, Nayar fully endorsed resting key figures like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul from the final ODIs. In his view, giving all-format players dedicated time to train with the red ball is essential to avenge their previous home defeat. Addressing Yashasvi Jaiswal's omission from the ODI squad, Nayar expressed confidence that the selectors communicated clearly with the young opener, who is currently representing India A in Christchurch.
