Wasim Jaffer picks India’s playing 11 for 1st ODI against New Zealand, includes no wrist spinners

After beating New Zealand 1-0 in the T20I series, India are ready to replicate a similar result in the ODI series. Shikhar Dhawan will be seen leading the team while Rishabh Pant is named as the vice-captain. The hosts might have lost the T20I series but they will look to bounce back in the ODIs. Hardik Pandya was the captain of the T20I series and led the team to victory. Meanwhile, he is rested for the One-day matches and has left for home.  

As India prepare to take on the Kiwis in the first One-Day international at Eden Park in Auckland, former Indian batter Wasim Jaffer has picked his playing 11 for the series opener.  Interestingly, Jaffer has made a few notable omissions and also backed Umran Malik to get a chance in the white-ball format. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul are already rested for the whole tour against the Black Caps.

India vs New Zealand: Wasim Jaffer’s squad for the first ODI

Wasim Jaffer named Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill as his openers. He then picked Shreyas Iyer at no.3, followed by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant at 4, and Suryakumar Yadav at number 5 respectively.

Interestingly, the much-debated all-rounders’ slots was filled by Deepak Hooda and Washington Sundar as both of them are handy spin bowling options. His pace bowling attack comprises Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, and Umran Malik.

Surprisingly, he did not include any wrist spinners in his squad as he thinks Eden Park has small boundaries. He also said that he included Chahar because he can play a good knock with the bat as well. 

Here’s Wasim Jaffer’s India XI for the 1st ODI vs New Zealand: Shikhar Dhawan (C), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik