Star-studded India face against a depleted New Zealand in a series of divided priorities for both the sides.
Star-studded face New Zealand upstarts in a series of divided priorities.
India rarely gets a 22-day vacation from international cricket. Even more uncommon is the absence of the most lucrative team and players during the busiest part of the Christmas season. When India returns to action with the three-ODI series against New Zealand, everyone will want to make up for lost time.
The two biggest Indian stars of the past ten years only play this format, which may be the least relevant of the three at the present. India is most in line with this format.
However, New Zealand has not received the memo. Of their 15 players, eight have never played in India. Two have never participated in an international cricket match. No one has participated in an ODI. Less than ten games have been played by five. A portion of it is forced: Tom Latham is on paternity leave, Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith won’t even return in time, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, and Mark Chapman are managing their recuperation from injuries, and more and more major players are declining retainers with NZC. Due to a conflict with SA20, Kane Williamson is unable to participate in this trip.
Two-way For two Full Member countries, ODI cricket could not mean anything more. However, New Zealand is now enjoying a nine-match winning streak, which is just one game short of their longest ever.
Shubman Gill had a terrible second half of 2025 after a fantastic first series as Test captain in England. He missed the ODIs and ultimately lost his T20I spot for the forthcoming World Cup due to a neck ailment that was a major factor in India’s home Test series loss to South Africa. He became ill once more as he attempted to start playing some domestic cricket as part of his rehabilitation. India’s Test and ODI skipper would greatly benefit from a return to runs.
Michael Bracewell, Gill’s opposite number, is likewise the opposite as a player—a utility player approaching 35 years old rather than a prodigy destined for greatness. Nearly two years ago, in an ODI in Hyderabad, he almost ripped a victory from of the jaws of defeat with a 140, which is still his most memorable performance in international cricket. He will be put to the test most as a fingerspinner against an all-out Indian batting lineup.