Iyer Takes Charge as India and New Zealand Make Nine Changes for Fourth ODI

Shreyas Iyer is leading India for the first time in one-day internationals after regular captain Shubman Gill left the squad to prepare for the Test series, with the fourth ODI against New Zealand under way at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Friday.

Iyer won the toss and chose to bowl first, and the two sides made nine changes between them — India bringing in Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan and Kuldeep Yadav, while New Zealand handed opportunities to six new faces including Finn Allen, Matt Henry and Michael Bracewell.

India lead the five-match series 2-0 after winning the first two games, with the third in Hamilton washed out, and a win in Mount Maunganui would seal the series with a game to spare. New Zealand, who have not lost a home ODI series in seven years, must win both remaining matches to save the rubber.

A reshuffled New Zealand

With Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell and Nathan Smith among those missing, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has turned to fresh legs — and the hosts were three down early, reduced to 125 for 3 after 20 overs with Gurnoor Brar, Axar Patel and Auqib Nabi sharing the wickets.

Eyes on the Tests

Gill, KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj have all been released to fine-tune their red-ball game ahead of the first Test in Wellington on November 19, leaving Iyer — who has made no secret of his ambition to prove himself as a leader — with a point to prove with the bat as well.

Source: The Times of India