Siraj likely to return for third ODI against New Zealand as Arshdeep may be rested

A five-match ODI series is under way between India and New Zealand, with India leading 2-0. India won the first match in Auckland by five wickets. In the second, in Wellington, they won by four runs.

The third ODI will now be played in Hamilton. India will try to win the match and take the series. Given the lead, not many changes are expected in the playing XI for the third ODI, but a few players could get a chance.

Mohammed Siraj was not included in the playing XI in either of the first two ODIs. This drew considerable controversy. Veterans said it was wrong to leave out a senior player like Siraj, and questions were also raised about the team management. However, India's fast bowlers have performed well in both ODIs so far and have not let Siraj's absence be felt.

Siraj could be included in place of Arshdeep Singh in the third ODI. A major reason is that Arshdeep has been playing continuously. He played throughout the West Indies series and also performed well in the T20 matches against New Zealand. He could therefore be rested in the third ODI, and kept out of the team under workload management. This would also give Siraj a chance to practise before the Test series.

Axar Patel has not performed as expected in the first two ODIs. Even so, it is highly unlikely that he will be left out of the playing XI for the third ODI. Despite this, the management could play Kuldeep Yadav in place of Axar as the main spinner. Kuldeep did not find a place in the playing XI in the T20 matches, so it will be important to see whether he gets a chance in the third ODI.

The India squad for the first three ODIs is: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy (first ODI only) and Akib Nabi.

The squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs is: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper and vice-captain), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Akib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav.