India Aim to Seal ODI Series as Shreyas Iyer Takes Charge as Captain
India will head into the fourth ODI against New Zealand with an opportunity to secure the series, following the rain-affected washout in Hamilton. The result means India cannot lose the series, while New Zealand’s best remaining chance is to level the contest. After rain disrupted all three matches played so far, the teams will be hoping for better conditions in Mount Maunganui, where clear weather is expected on Friday.
The change of venue also brings significant changes to India’s squad. Shreyas Iyer will lead the side for the first time in this series, as Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj have joined India’s Test preparations alongside members of the coaching staff.
With several established players unavailable, attention will turn towards India’s revised batting order. Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma are among those who could benefit from the additional opportunities as India look to maintain their advantage.
New Zealand have also refreshed their squad ahead of the fourth ODI. Finn Allen, Mitch Hay, Dean Foxcroft and Brett Randell have been included, while several first-choice players, including Test captain Tom Latham, have departed to prepare for the opening Test at the Basin Reserve next week.
India vs New Zealand 4th ODI: Match Details
- Match: India vs New Zealand, 4th ODI
- Date: Friday, November 13
- Time: 3:00 PM local time (7:30 AM IST)
- Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Pitch and Weather Report
The weather forecast for Friday looks encouraging, with clear conditions expected at Mount Maunganui. This should provide a welcome break after rain affected the previous matches in the series.
However, the Bay Oval surface could offer assistance to the bowlers. Recent ODI results at this ground suggest that scoring heavily may not be straightforward. The last time a team managed to pass 300 runs at this venue was in February 2020, when New Zealand scored 300/5 while chasing India’s 296/7.
Both teams will need to assess the conditions carefully, particularly during the opening overs.
Team News and Probable Playing XIs
New Zealand
Matt Henry could return to the playing XI after recovering from a head injury suffered during a training collision with Devon Conway before the series. He has also been dealing with a minor quadriceps injury sustained during the second T20I.
Blair Tickner, meanwhile, will remain unavailable. He is completing the ICC’s mandatory seven-day stand-down period after being struck by a ball while batting in the second ODI.
Probable Playing XI:
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Will Young, Nick Kelly, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Dean Foxcroft, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher.
India
Ishan Kishan is expected to partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the batting order in Shubman Gill’s absence. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma are competing for a place in the middle order following KL Rahul’s departure.
India could also bring Mohammed Siraj into the bowling attack. His last appearance in an ODI came against the West Indies, and the fourth match could provide an opportunity for him to return to the 50-over format.
Probable Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad/Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Auqib Nabi, Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh.
Key Statistics Ahead of the Fourth ODI
India’s batting strength at the top of the order has been particularly impressive since the 2023 ODI World Cup.
- India’s top three have accumulated 4,922 runs at an average of 55.3 during this period, including 17 centuries and 26 half-centuries.
- England have the next-best average among Full Member nations, at 40.4.
- New Zealand’s top three have recorded an average of 32.01, with five centuries and 22 half-centuries.
- New Zealand have not lost a home ODI series since January 2019, when India were also their opponents.
These numbers highlight the difference in consistency between the two sides’ top-order batting performances.
For fans following the match, the latest scores, match updates and cricket results will also be available through Live Cricket Score.
What the Players Said
New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert acknowledged the way India’s young fast bowlers have adjusted to New Zealand’s playing conditions.
He praised their ability to understand the pitch and adapt their approach according to the opposition, highlighting the quality of India’s emerging pace attack.
Meanwhile, India’s Auqib Nabi spoke about the importance of bowling skills over raw pace. He explained that his progress so far has largely come through his skill set and that he intends to rely on those strengths at the international level, while recognising that extra pace can be an advantage.
What to Expect from India vs New Zealand 4th ODI
The fourth ODI presents an important opportunity for India to finish the series strongly under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership. His captaincy debut, combined with the arrival of several fresh faces in the batting order, makes this an interesting contest.
New Zealand, on the other hand, will be determined to defend their impressive home ODI record and prevent India from securing the series.
With improved weather conditions expected and several players looking to make an impression, the encounter at Bay Oval promises to be an intriguing battle between the two teams.
