The fourth match of the five-fixture one-day international series between India and New Zealand, scheduled for Friday, November 13, at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval, marks a distinct tactical shift for the touring side. Team India will step onto the field with a completely revamped leadership dynamic and an altered squad balance. Regular 50-over skipper Shubman Gill is sitting out of this contest, paving the way for full-time T20 international captain Shreyas Iyer to take the reins of India's ODI lineup for the very first time. Leading the national side in this format represents a major milestone for the experienced Mumbai batter.
Three Key Players Head to Wellington for Test Preparations
The sudden personnel reshuffle stems from the departure of three core players. Along with Shubman Gill, seasoned wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul and fast bowler Anshul Kamboj are unavailable for selection in this fourth ODI. All three featured in India's starting eleven across the opening three encounters of the tour. However, they have now traveled to Wellington to commence red-ball training ahead of the two-match Test series against the Black Caps, which gets underway on November 19. Their absence makes at least three prominent changes unavoidable for the team management, with further rotational adjustments remaining a distinct possibility.
Ishan Kishan Set for Dual Responsibility at the Top
To replenish the squad for the final two ODIs, the national selection panel drafted Tilak Varma, Kumar Kushagra, and Yash Thakur into the touring setup. Looking at the composition of the playing eleven, left-handed dynamic batter Ishan Kishan, who remained on the bench through the first three matches, is widely expected to return to the active lineup. The Jharkhand cricketer, who finished as India's leading run-scorer in T20 internationals during 2026, is primed to partner former captain Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. Kishan carries proven pedigree as a 50-over opener, having previously scored a double century in this format. Moreover, with Rahul absent, Kishan will also shoulder wicketkeeping duties for Iyer's squad.
Selection Contest for the Number Five Slot
With Ishan slotting into the opening vacancy, a competitive selection battle has emerged for the number five position between Tilak Varma and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Tilak Varma, who serves as the vice-captain in the T20 setup, has already featured in five T20 matches during the current tour and recently compiled a gritty half-century representing India A against New Zealand A in the third unofficial Test. On the other hand, Ruturaj Gaikwad offers proven middle-order credentials for the national team. Gaikwad's most recent ODI appearance occurred on October 3, 2026, against the West Indies at Mullanpur, where he produced a fluent fifty. Evaluating pitch conditions at the Bay Oval will be pivotal in determining which batter gets the nod.
Senior Bowlers Positioned to Bolster the Attack
The bowling department is also in line for significant restructuring. Two of the most experienced bowlers in the squad, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav, were left out of the starting lineup during the first three fixtures despite being fully fit and available. Following Kamboj's departure to Wellington, at least one of these two veterans is assured of an inclusion. Furthermore, if the team chooses to rest any of the active pacers, such as Aaqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, or Arshdeep Singh, both Siraj and Kuldeep could be deployed together. Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh has featured in all eight matches across formats on this tour, though rain prevented him from bowling in the third ODI at Hamilton on November 10.
New Entrants Expected to Wait for Debut Caps
Meanwhile, newly inducted squad members Kumar Kushagra and pacer Yash Thakur are unlikely to make their international debuts on Friday. With seasoned campaigners stepping back into the frame under fresh leadership, this fourth ODI at Mount Maunganui will serve as a definitive assessment of India's bench depth.
India's Predicted Playing XI for the Fourth ODI
Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Aaqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.
