India captain Shubman Gill confirmed his settled top four for the five-match ODI series against New Zealand on Tuesday, November 3, saying Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and he will bat in the first four positions when the series opens at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday.
Settled top orders are rare currency this close to a World Cup cycle, and Gill’s announcement gives India a fixed spine while keeping the middle order flexible for match situations.
“We will have floating approach for no. 5 and no. 6. Our top four is set, all right-handers. So if lefty is needed, Axar bhai goes and depending on match situation even KL bhai can go. So, a bit flexible,” Gill said at the pre-match press conference in Auckland, according to Outlook India.
Axar Patel offers the left-handed option in the middle order, while KL Rahul can move up or down depending on what the game demands, Gill explained.
Gill also backed Hardik Pandya to settle the lower middle order on his return, saying the all-rounder’s presence would take care of No. 7 and No. 8 alongside his bowling.
Pandya has not played since the IPL and recently missed an India A fixture after picking up a niggle, according to Outlook India. Gill said he has spoken regularly with Pandya and hopes the 32-year-old regains match fitness through domestic cricket before returning to international duty.
“Whenever Hardik bhai comes back, no 7/8 will also be taken care of. Happy with batting group leading up to the World Cup,” Gill said.
Gill dismissed concerns about his own neck, which had kept him out for nearly a month after a cervical disc bulge and neck spasm during the Kolkata Test against South Africa late in 2025.
“No issue… I batted for close to one and a half hours and did my fielding without any trouble too. No issue at all,” he said, according to Outlook India.
New Zealand arrive with their own problems, having already lost Rachin Ravindra to a shoulder injury and Mark Chapman to a hamstring problem, while Devon Conway was ruled out of the opener after a training collision with Matt Henry. Tim Seifert will replace Conway, and captain Mitchell Santner remained hopeful Henry would be available.
Gill will lead India in the first three ODIs before leaving the squad to prepare for the Test series, with vice-captain Iyer taking charge of the final two matches, according to ABP Live.
India won the preceding five-match T20 series 3-2, and the ODI series doubles as preparation for next year’s World Cup, according to the New Indian Express.
| Date | Match | Venue | Time IST |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 4 | 1st ODI | Auckland | 7:30 AM |
| November 7 | 2nd ODI | Wellington | 7:30 AM |
| November 10 | 3rd ODI | Hamilton | 7:30 AM |
| November 13 | 4th ODI | Mount Maunganui | 7:30 AM |
| November 15 | 5th ODI | Mount Maunganui | 7:30 AM |
Confirmed for now are the top four, the floating No. 5 and No. 6 plan, and the Auckland opener on Wednesday. Still to be settled are Conway’s availability beyond the first ODI and the exact bowling combination India will use without Jasprit Bumrah, who is being preserved for the Tests.
