Is Kuldeep Yadav playing 3rd ODI between India and New Zealand?

As the third ODI of the series between New Zealand (NZ) and India (IND) got underway at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on Tuesday, November 10, the Indian team came out to bowl first. With the visitors taking a 2-0 lead in conditions favourable to the bowlers, a set of fans and experts had voiced to include left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in India's Playing XI for this all-important game as the Shubman Gill-led team looks to seal the series.

NZ vs IND: Toss Update

The toss, which was delayed by more than a couple of hours, went in favour of the Indian team. Captain Shubman Gill had no hesitation whatsoever in opting to bowl first, with overcast conditions around as well. Gill showed signs of hopefulness in terms of the weather clearing up and getting a good result out of the game to seal the series with an unassailable lead.

NZ vs IND: Is Kuldeep Yadav in India's Playing XI?

While it was certainly the demand by the fans and pundits to draft Kuldeep in the Playing XI, the Men in Blue opted to keep their winning combination alive. That means that Mohammed Siraj also continues to warm the bench despite being the most experienced pacer in the roster. The absence of Kuldeep and Siraj also indicates that India want to give enough rest to their senior bowlers ahead of the important two-match Test series. 

Meanwhile, the BlackCaps confirmed one change to the playing XI, with Matthew Fisher replacing Blair Tickner in the line-up for the game as they look to keep the series alive.

NZ vs IND: Playing XIs for the 3rd ODI

New Zealand

Will Young, Tim Seifert, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (WK), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher

India

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh

NZ vs IND: What did the captains say?

Shubman Gill, India captain, said:

"We are going to bowl first. Hopefully the weather clears and we will repeat the good things we have done. It is frustrating. Same team."

Mitchell Santner, New Zealand captain, said:

"We got a good training yesterday. The pitch has been under the covers for a while so it will do a bit. Maybe 180 might have been a good score on that pitch in the last game and we have to assess today. One change, Fisher is in for Tickner."