Shubman Gill to lead India in first three NZ ODIs, Iyer next

Shubman Gill, India’s ODI and Test captain, reached Auckland on Thursday, 29 October, and will lead the side in the first three ODIs against New Zealand before leaving to prepare for the Test series. Shreyas Iyer takes over as captain for the fourth and fifth ODIs, with Ishan Kishan as vice-captain and wicketkeeper, the BCCI said in its squad announcement of 16 October.

The five-match ODI series starts on 4 November at Eden Park, Auckland, and marks the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Who leads when

Gill’s role is split by format and schedule. After the third ODI he leaves the one-day squad to prepare for the two-Test series, which starts on 19 November. He also captains India in the Test squad: the first Test is in Wellington on 19 November and the second in Christchurch on 27 November, both starting at 3:30 AM IST.

Iyer’s captaincy covers the last two ODIs, with Kishan as his deputy and the wicketkeeper.

Gill’s numbers

Gill arrives in strong ODI form. Tribune India reports he has 895 ODI runs this year in 12 matches (11 innings), averaging 111.87 at a strike rate of 118.70. That includes three centuries, five fifties and a best of 223* against West Indies.

He is also closing in on a career landmark. Across formats he has 7,625 international runs in 149 matches, averaging 47.95, with 23 centuries, 32 fifties and a best of 269, so the 8,000-run mark is within reach on this tour.

What’s next

Gill landed as India prepare for the fourth T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park on Friday, 30 October, at 12:30 PM IST. India already lead the series 3-0, having won by 4 wickets on 22 October, by 4 wickets on 24 October and by 6 wickets on 27 October. The fifth T20I follows on Sunday, 1 November at 12:30 PM IST, and the first ODI is on Wednesday, 4 November at 7:30 AM IST.