New Zealand v India: Lineups announced with Anirudh Thapa in India's XI for Christchurch friendly

India face the New Zealand national football team at the One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch today in a FIFA international friendly, kicking off at 08:40 AM IST, with full lineups confirmed and Anirudh Thapa named in India's starting XI.

The fixture is the first international match at the One New Zealand Stadium since it opened in March and follows India's 5-0 defeat in Auckland on Thursday; India have cited the friendly as an opportunity to improve their FIFA ranking and to influence whether they enter Round 1 or Round 2 of the FIFA/AFC qualifiers, while New Zealand aim for a second consecutive win in Christchurch.

India's Starting XI is Vishal Kaith (GK), Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Mehtab Singh, Akash Mishra, Anirudh Thapa, Manvir Singh, Ryan Dale Williams, Mohammed Sanan Kundoyi, Roshan Singh Naorem, Jay Gupta and Mohammed Ashique Kuruniyan, with Som Kumar (GK), Hrithik Tiwari (GK), Bijoy Varghese, Hnamte Lalrinliana, Jithin Madathil Subran, Muhammad Suhail, David Lalhlansanga, Tomba Singh Haobam, Pramveer, Fanai and Liston Colaco named on the bench.

New Zealand's Starting XI is Alex Paulsen (GK), Francis De Vries, Michael Boxall, Finn Surman, Owen Parker-Price, Chris Wood (C), Matthew Garbett, James McGarry, Matthew Sheridan, Callum McCowatt and Jesse Randall; Michael Woud (GK), Henry Gray (GK), Callan Elliot, Nando Pijnaker, Bill Tuiloma, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Alex Rufer, Lachlan Bayliss, Logan Rogerson, Nathan Walker and Corban Piper are listed as substitutes.

Broadcasters and rights holders have indicated the match will be available to viewers on FIFA+, DAZN.com and the DAZN app, while DAZNFootball and TVNZ promoted the live coverage in social posts; the published kickoff time is 08:40 AM IST.

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