# Shreyas Iyer Elects to Bowl First in Mount Maunganui ODI as India Name Three Changes > Leading the national side in the fourth ODI against New Zealand, Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to field as India handed opportunities to three fresh players. **Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-11-13 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/mount-maunganui-vanade-men-shreyas-iyer-ne-tosa-jitakara-chuni-gendabaji-bharatiya-ekadasha-men-tina-nae-chehare-59147 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Cricket, Shreyas Iyer, India vs New Zealand, Mount Maunganui, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, ODI Series A fresh chapter in India's limited-overs campaign unfolded at the Bay Oval as newly appointed captain Shreyas Iyer called correctly at the toss and decided to bowl first in the fourth match of the five-game series. Holding a commanding 2-0 cushion, the visitors stepped into the contest aiming to seal the bilateral contest outright. For Iyer, walking out to lead the side marks a notable milestone in his international journey, taking charge of a restructured lineup against an opponent desperate to stay alive on home soil. ## Key Departures Driven by Red-Ball Commitments The adjustments within the traveling squad were set in motion following the third contest, held in Hamilton on 10 November. Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Anshul Kamboj left the 50-over setup right after that fixture, shifting their focus toward the upcoming two-match Test series. That red-ball assignment gets underway at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on 19 November. Gill's absence at the helm opened the path for middle-order regular Shreyas Iyer to step forward and assume leadership responsibilities for the remainder of the one-day rubber. ## Three Tactical Inclusions for the Playing Eleven With three frontline names leaving the setup, the starting eleven saw targeted changes across multiple departments. The wicketkeeping gloves passed from KL Rahul to Ishan Kishan, with the 28-year-old Jharkhand cricketer slotted into the batting order at number five. Kishan receives an immediate opportunity to anchor the lower middle order and manage duties behind the stumps. At the top of the innings, promising batter Ruturaj Gaikwad was drafted in to partner Rohit Sharma against the new white ball. To strengthen the slow-bowling arsenal, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was recalled to lead the spin pack. The finalized Indian lineup features Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, captain Shreyas Iyer, wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Aqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, and Arshdeep Singh. ## Hosts Fight for Survival After Early Stumbles The scenario is far more urgent for Mitchell Santner's side, who find themselves trailing 0-2 after successive defeats across Auckland and Wellington. Facing the prospect of an unassailable deficit before their home supporters, the hosts entered Friday's contest requiring a victory to keep the five-game rubber active. Navigating this do-or-die situation prompted widespread changes across the home dressing room. ## Extensive Reorganisation Across the Black Caps Sheet New Zealand's squad dynamics shifted significantly for the twin fixtures at Mount Maunganui, with Tom Latham, Nathan Smith, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Henry Nicholls all missing from the active setup. In response, team management drafted Finn Allen, Nick Kelly, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Matt Henry, and Dean Foxcroft into the starting group. The final New Zealand eleven features wicketkeeper Tim Seifert, Will Young, Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, captain Mitchell Santner, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, and Matthew Fisher. ## What this means for you The rotation of core personnel highlights India's prioritization of multi-format balance while testing bench depth under live pressure. - **For Cricket Fans:** Supporters get to witness how alternate squad members execute match plans without regular senior leaders. The fixture also serves as an audition for Shreyas Iyer's leadership capabilities in bilateral fixtures. - **For Fringe Squad Members:** Playing opportunities give Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad a platform to press their claims for regular limited-overs spots. Strong outings here will cement their names in the wider selection pool for upcoming ICC events. - **For the Upcoming Test Series:** Early departures by Shubman Gill and KL Rahul indicate specialized focus on red-ball acclimatization. Having key batters practice at the Basin Reserve ahead of 19 November improves their readiness for seaming conditions. - **For New Zealand Viewers:** Local supporters are watching a must-win clash that decides whether the series remains competitive or ends prematurely. A negative outcome settles the trophy in India's favor with one game remaining. ## Why this happened Extensive team adjustments were triggered by impending Test commitments for touring Indian stars and tactical restructuring by a trailing host lineup. - **Priority on Wellington Test Readiness:** Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Anshul Kamboj were dispatched early to prepare at the Basin Reserve. Adapting early to conditions for the two-match red-ball leg starting 19 November drove their departure from the limited-overs squad. - **Captaincy Elevation for Shreyas Iyer:** With Gill unavailable for the remaining games, middle-order regular Iyer was the direct choice to assume captaincy duties on the field. - **Radical Reset by New Zealand:** Falling behind 0-2 after defeats in Auckland and Wellington forced the Black Caps into significant personnel interventions. The absence of Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, and three other squad members opened slots for six replacements. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Who won the toss in the Mount Maunganui ODI and what did they choose? India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl first. ### 2. Why did Shubman Gill and KL Rahul leave the ODI squad? They traveled to Wellington to prepare for the two-match Test series starting 19 November at the Basin Reserve. ### 3. Which three players entered the Indian playing eleven for this game? Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, and Kuldeep Yadav were named in the playing eleven. ### 4. What was the series scoreline heading into this match? India held a 2-0 lead after securing victories in the opening two matches. ### 5. How many changes did New Zealand make to their playing eleven? New Zealand made six changes to their starting lineup for the contest. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._