India skipper Shubman Gill has revealed the reason for backing pacers like Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar in the ODI squad ahead of the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup. In the absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming five-ODI series against New Zealand, India has included Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Auqib Nabi in the squad. Speaking on the eve of the 1st ODI scheduled to be played in Auckland on Wednesday (Nov 4), Gill said tall pacers are backed for their pace and bounce to be used in the middle overs. The strategy stems from South Africa being the venue for next year's ODI World Cup, with pitches expected to have more bounce and pace.<h2>Gill on why India backs lanky pacers</h2>"You can challenge the batter if either there is something in the wicket, if the ball is seaming, then it becomes difficult for the batter to score, or you can challenge the batter with pace and bounce," Gill said.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rishabh-pant-second-fitness-test-india-vs-new-zealand-test-series-update-1793617185740">Rishabh Pant set for second fitness test ahead of New Zealand departure</a>"So identifying the kind of bowlers that can make run-scoring difficult for the batters and that can give us the best opportunity to take wickets in the middle overs, that has been the thinking around trying someone like a Gurnoor or a Prasidh, which gives us a bit more than someone who is bowling at maybe 135 [kph] when the wicket is flat."If tall fast bowlers can hit the right areas, it is a lot more difficult to score runs than someone who is bowling at 135, 130 [kph]. You have to be really on top of your game to be able to score against someone who is 140 [kph]-plus, who is 6'1", 6'2", 6'3". And there is a lot more risk when you are trying to score freely [against] that kind of bowler."<h2>IND vs NZ ODI series schedule and squads</h2>Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna, who are injured, are not part of the ODI squad, and Nabi has been added to the ODI squad as a replacement for Krishna. India starts the series in Auckland on November 4 before moving to Wellington for the second ODI on November 7. The third ODI is scheduled for November 10 in Hamilton before the final two ODIs in Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15, respectively.&nbsp;India's updated squad for the first three ODIs vs New Zealand: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan [WK], Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy (only for the first ODI), Auqib NabiIndia's ODI squad for fourth and fifth ODIs vs New Zealand: Shreyas Iyer (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wk, vc), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav

Skipper Shubman Gill explained that tall pacers like Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar are backed for their extra pace and bounce to target middle overs ahead of the bouncy 2027 World Cup pitches in South Africa.

India skipper Shubman Gill has revealed the reason for backing pacers like Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar in the ODI squad ahead of the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup. In the absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming five-ODI series against New Zealand, India has included Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Auqib Nabi in the squad. Speaking on the eve of the 1st ODI scheduled to be played in Auckland on Wednesday (Nov 4), Gill said tall pacers are backed for their pace and bounce to be used in the middle overs. The strategy stems from South Africa being the venue for next year's ODI World Cup, with pitches expected to have more bounce and pace. Gill on why India backs lanky pacers "You can challenge the batter if either there is something in the wicket, if the ball is seaming, then it becomes difficult for the batter to score, or you can challenge the batter with pace and bounce," Gill said. Also Read - Rishabh Pant set for second fitness test ahead of New Zealand departure "So identifying the kind of bowlers that can make run-scoring difficult for the batters and that can give us the best opportunity to take wickets in the middle overs, that has been the thinking around trying someone like a Gurnoor or a Prasidh, which gives us a bit more than someone who is bowling at maybe 135 [kph] when the wicket is flat. "If tall fast bowlers can hit the right areas, it is a lot more difficult to score runs than someone who is bowling at 135, 130 [kph]. You have to be really on top of your game to be able to score against someone who is 140 [kph]-plus, who is 6'1", 6'2", 6'3". And there is a lot more risk when you are trying to score freely [against] that kind of bowler." IND vs NZ ODI series schedule and squads Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna, who are injured, are not part of the ODI squad, and Nabi has been added to the ODI squad as a replacement for Krishna. India starts the series in Auckland on November 4 before moving to Wellington for the second ODI on November 7. The third ODI is scheduled for November 10 in Hamilton before the final two ODIs in Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15, respectively. India's updated squad for the first three ODIs vs New Zealand: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan [WK], Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy (only for the first ODI), Auqib Nabi India's ODI squad for fourth and fifth ODIs vs New Zealand: Shreyas Iyer (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wk, vc), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav

Skipper Shubman Gill explained that tall pacers like Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar are backed for their extra pace and bounce to target middle overs ahead of the bouncy 2027 World Cup pitches in South Africa.

IND vs NZ ODIs: Skipper Gill reveals vision behind India's new-look tall pace attack

Indian captain Shubman Gill powered his way through Monday’s net session at Eden Park in Auckland ahead of the ODI series opener on Wednesday (Nov 4). Gill, who travelled with dedicated net bowlers to prepare for the five ODIs and two Tests that follow, trained for close to three hours, while the talismanic batting pair of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma skipped batting training. &nbsp;Gill had a marathon net session, which began with casual throwdowns that culminated in an extended fielding session with spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bhautule. Gill, who missed Sunday’s training, spent most of Monday morning grinding in the nets. &nbsp;While most of the pacers picked for New Zealand ODIs, including Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi, were given a breather following lengthy spells the previous day, a set of local spin and pacers toiled hard bowling to Gill and KL Rahul in the nets.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-rohit-sharma-odi-record-new-zealand-pujara-analysis-1793632692950">‘Kohli has more chances of scoring a hundred than Rohit’: Pujara ahead of IND vs NZ ODIs</a> &nbsp;KL Rahul was also in action behind the wickets, firstly by spending close to 15 minutes collecting throwdowns before padding up and bat alongside his ODI captain Gill. The two did put in extra yards in the outdoor nets, with cheers from onlookers keeping them upbeat. Upon completing his net session, Rahul disappeared into the tunnel and did not return.&nbsp; &nbsp;Gill, however, was not done just yet. After completing the longest net session of the day, the Indian skipper wrapped up his training with catching drills and close-in and slip catching. By the time Gill left for his hotel, most of the remaining ODI squad members were close to reaching Auckland from Hamilton, the venue for the 5th T20I, which New Zealand won. &nbsp;The ODI squad together will have just one day (Wednesday) before action begins the next day in Auckland.<h3>Kohli, Rohit Skip Training Session</h3>Although Gill and Rahul trained on Monday, two veterans, Rohit and Kohli, decided to skip batting sessions and instead chose to stay indoors to fine-tune their preparations. &nbsp;While India are scheduled to have a practice session on Tuesday afternoon, the hosts, New Zealand, will train in the morning.&nbsp;

Shubman Gill braved a marathon three-hour net session at Auckland's Eden Park ahead of the 1st ODI against New Zealand, while veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli opted to skip batting practice.

Indian captain Shubman Gill powered his way through Monday’s net session at Eden Park in Auckland ahead of the ODI series opener on Wednesday (Nov 4). Gill, who travelled with dedicated net bowlers to prepare for the five ODIs and two Tests that follow, trained for close to three hours, while the talismanic batting pair of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma skipped batting training. Gill had a marathon net session, which began with casual throwdowns that culminated in an extended fielding session with spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bhautule. Gill, who missed Sunday’s training, spent most of Monday morning grinding in the nets. While most of the pacers picked for New Zealand ODIs, including Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi, were given a breather following lengthy spells the previous day, a set of local spin and pacers toiled hard bowling to Gill and KL Rahul in the nets. Also read| ‘Kohli has more chances of scoring a hundred than Rohit’: Pujara ahead of IND vs NZ ODIs KL Rahul was also in action behind the wickets, firstly by spending close to 15 minutes collecting throwdowns before padding up and bat alongside his ODI captain Gill. The two did put in extra yards in the outdoor nets, with cheers from onlookers keeping them upbeat. Upon completing his net session, Rahul disappeared into the tunnel and did not return. Gill, however, was not done just yet. After completing the longest net session of the day, the Indian skipper wrapped up his training with catching drills and close-in and slip catching. By the time Gill left for his hotel, most of the remaining ODI squad members were close to reaching Auckland from Hamilton, the venue for the 5th T20I, which New Zealand won. The ODI squad together will have just one day (Wednesday) before action begins the next day in Auckland. Kohli, Rohit Skip Training Session Although Gill and Rahul trained on Monday, two veterans, Rohit and Kohli, decided to skip batting sessions and instead chose to stay indoors to fine-tune their preparations. While India are scheduled to have a practice session on Tuesday afternoon, the hosts, New Zealand, will train in the morning.

Shubman Gill braved a marathon three-hour net session at Auckland's Eden Park ahead of the 1st ODI against New Zealand, while veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli opted to skip batting practice.

IND vs NZ 1st ODI: Captain Shubman Gill hits nets in full flow as Kohli and Rohit skip training

ind-vs-nz-odi-series-2026

Ind Vs Nz Odi Series 2026, News on Ind Vs Nz Odi Series 2026, stories on Ind Vs Nz Odi Series 2026, articles on Ind Vs Nz Odi Series 2026, Ind Vs Nz Odi Series 2026 stories at Wion, Ind Vs Nz Odi Series 2026 news, Ind Vs Nz Odi Series 2026 latest news

ind vs-nz-odi-series-2026

IND vs NZ ODIs: Skipper Gill reveals vision behind India's new-look tall pace attack

IND vs NZ 1st ODI: Gill hits nets in full flow as Kohli and Rohit skip training