India may rest several players in final two ODIs of New Zealand tour to prepare for Tests

India could rest a number of first-team players for the last two matches of the five-match ODI series on their forthcoming tour of New Zealand, a trip that begins with five T20 internationals from October 22 and leads into Tests starting on November 19 in Wellington.

Concerns over workload following series in England and Ireland, combined with mixed returns against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, have prompted India to plan a 12-match tour across formats without a provincial practice game in between. The five T20Is run from October 22 to November 1, the ODI leg starts on November 4, and the tour contains both ODIs and a two-Test series that follows closely on the calendar.

Several squad-management factors are influencing the thinking: multiple players are expected to be involved in both the ODI series and the Tests and are unlikely to have sufficient recovery time, so the Men in Blue coaching staff is considering resting some individuals in the final two ODIs. The stated aim of those rests is to provide enough time for recovery and preparation ahead of the Test matches, while India prepares for ODIs and Tests consecutively despite the packed schedule.

The reported list of players who could be rested includes Indian skipper Shubman Gill and experienced wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul. Fast-bowling options mentioned as likely to be rotated out are Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj.

The two-Test series is scheduled to begin in Wellington from November 19 to 23, with the second Test in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1, and the matches carry importance for India in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.

The five-match ODI series is set to commence on November 4 at Eden Park in Auckland, with the fifth ODI due to finish on November 15 in Mount Maunganui.