India’s predicted XI for 1st ODI at Eden Park as New Zealand series begins on Nov 4

India’s likely playing XI for the first ODI against New Zealand has been outlined ahead of the five-match series opener at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, with the match scheduled to start at 7:30 AM IST; Shubman Gill will captain while Hardik Pandya (injury) and Jasprit Bumrah (rested) will miss the series.

The ODI series between New Zealand and India begins on November 4 and will feature five matches, with the first game at Eden Park. India won the preceding T20I series 3-2, though New Zealand closed that set with back-to-back victories. Shubman Gill is leading India in the ODIs, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli named as part of the batting group and Shreyas Iyer expected to occupy the No. 4 slot.

Selection discussions have been shaped by Auckland’s batting-friendly conditions and relatively small boundaries; New Zealand posted 259 against India in the fourth T20I, a performance the preview notes could work against Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion. As a result, Kuldeep is mentioned as a player who might be left out for the first game.

Spin and all-round options are expected to be led by Axar Patel, who is cited as the likely first-choice spinner/all-rounder. In Hardik Pandya’s absence, Nitish Kumar Reddy has been handed an opportunity as the second all-rounder, while Naman Dhir has also been identified as someone who can contribute with the ball.

KL Rahul remains the designated wicketkeeper and is described as a flexible batting option who could slot in at either fifth or sixth in the order. Captain Shubman Gill confirmed in the pre-match press conference that India will stick with the same top four—Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer—for the opening ODI.

The projected pace attack features Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar and Mohammed Siraj as the three frontline seamers, with Auqib Nabi noted as a reserve option. The article’s predicted India XI for the first ODI is: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.

The first match of the New Zealand vs India ODI series will be played on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Eden Park in Auckland, with India aiming for a positive start to the five-match series.