India vs New Zealand, ODI Series 2023: Combined Playing XI

Team India are currently busy playing the home ODI series against Sri Lanka. While New Zealand just won the three-match ODI series 2-1 against Pakistan. Now, they will come to India to play a three-match ODI series. The series will kick off on 18 January 2023 and run until 24 January.

However, KL Rahul and Axar Patel are not a part of the squad for their family commitments. For the Kiwis, Tom Latham will be the captain as Kane Williamson has taken a rest. Hence, fans will be eager to see some performances from specific players. But, there are some players from both teams who can make a solid combined playing XI.

Here is the probable combined playing XI from India vs New Zealand ODI series, 2023:

Top Order

Virat Kohli (Image Source: Twitter)

Tom Latham, Devon Conway, and Virat Kohli can make a solid top-order in this combined XI. However, Latham generally bats in the middle order in the 50-over format. But, his experience as an opener can be used. Speaking of forms, Devon Conway was the fourth-highest run-scorer in the three-match ODI series in Pakistan.

He scored 153 runs in three innings, at an average of 51. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has been going through a good run of form in the ongoing home ODI series against Sri Lanka. In two innings so far, he has scored 117 runs, at an average of 58.50. He also smashed his 45th ODI ton in the series opener.   

Middle Order

Glenn Phillips (Image Source: Twitter)

In the middle order section, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner can be the perfect players to watch out for. Based on their all-around abilities, Pandya and Santner will be instrumental in this combined XI team. In the ODI series in Pakistan, Santner scored 73 runs in three innings in crucial situations.

Meanwhile, Glenn Phillips came up with a match-winning knock in the last ODI in Pakistan. In that match, Phillips scored 63* runs off 42 balls, including four boundaries and four sixes. Shreyas Iyer had a fantastic 2022 year for team India while batting in the middle order. As of now, in the Sri Lanka series, he has scored 56 runs in two innings.      

Bowlers

Kuldeep Yadav (Image Source: Twitter)

Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik, and Lockie Ferguson can make a formidable bowling line-up for this combined XI. Due to the injury to Chahal, Kuldeep came and delivered a top-class performance in the second ODI against the Lankans. Both Umran Malik and Siraj have taken five wickets each so far in two matches.

Umran also impressed everyone in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. Kuldeep Yadav has taken three wickets in that match. Meanwhile, Lockie Ferguson had a decent series in Pakistan. He took three wickets in three matches, at an economy of 5.80. But, along with others, his pace can be a lethal option to have for any captain of any team.