India will face New Zealand in the fourth ODI of the five-match series at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Friday, November 13. The visitors currently lead 2-0 after winning the first two matches, while rain abandoned the third encounter in Hamilton before a ball was bowled. India now has a chance to secure its first ODI series win in New Zealand since 2019.
However, the Indian team will have a different look in the upcoming fixture as Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj have left the squad to prepare for the two-match Test series. Shreyas Iyer will take over the captaincy, while Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Yash Thakur have joined the squad for the remaining two ODIs. The team management is expected to make at least three changes to its playing XI.
Ishan Kishan set to replace KL Rahul
The most certain change in India’s batting lineup is the return of Kishan, who is expected to open alongside Rohit Sharma. Kishan has warmed the bench throughout the first three ODIs but is likely to get an opportunity following Gill’s departure from the Test squad. The left-handed batter has considerable experience in the format and has already scored a double century as an opener.
Kishan is also expected to take over the wicketkeeping responsibilities in Rahul’s absence. He has enjoyed an impressive run in T20Is in 2026 and is India’s highest run-scorer in the format this year. With Iyer taking over the captaincy and Kishan expected to feature behind the stumps, India will have two changes to their batting combination at the top and in the leadership group.
Tilak Varma and Ruturaj Gaikwad fight for No. 5 spot
While Kishan’s inclusion appears certain, the team management will have to make a decision regarding the middle order. Tilak and Ruturaj Gaikwad are the two leading contenders for the No. 5 position, with both batters having strong cases for selection. Tilak is the vice-captain of India’s T20I team and has already featured in five T20 matches during the ongoing tour.
The left-hander also scored a half-century in the third unofficial Test for India A against New Zealand A. Gaikwad, meanwhile, has previously batted in the middle order for India and scored a half-century in his last ODI appearance against the West Indies in Mullanpur on October 3, 2026. Tilak could get the nod given his recent involvement with the national side, although Gaikwad remains a strong alternative.
Mohammed Siraj likely to replace Anshul Kamboj
India could also make an adjustment to their bowling attack following Kamboj’s departure. Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav are two experienced options who have been part of the squad but have not featured in the first three ODIs. Siraj could be brought into the playing XI to strengthen the pace attack, particularly with the series lead giving India an opportunity to test their bench strength.
Kuldeep could also come into contention if the team management wants an additional wicket-taking option in the middle overs. However, the visitors may prefer to retain their existing combination of Axar Patel, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh alongside Siraj. Arshdeep has featured in all eight matches on the ongoing tour, although rain prevented him from bowling in the third ODI in Hamilton.
India are expected to use the remaining two matches to assess their squad options ahead of the upcoming Test series and future ODI assignments. With the visitors already leading 2-0, the Mount Maunganui encounter offers an opportunity to give fringe players valuable game time while also securing the series. The team will particularly want a strong performance from its revised batting order and a chance for its senior bowlers to make an impact.
India’s predicted playing XI for the 4th ODI
- Rohit Sharma
- Ishan Kishan (wk)
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
- Tilak Varma
- Naman Dhir
- Axar Patel
- Auqib Nabi
- Gurnoor Brar
- Arshdeep Singh
- Mohammed Siraj
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