IND vs NZ: Why is Axar Patel Not Playing Today’s India vs New Zealand 1st ODI? Check India Playing 11

Axar Patel India vs New Zealand: In a crucial news development, India’s spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel will miss the entire white-ball series at home against New Zealand. The Indian team is scheduled to lock horns with the visiting New Zealand side in the 1st ODI game on 18 January, 2023 (Wednesday) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. It will certainly be a difficult challenge for the Men in Blue against New Zealand who have beaten the home team in the last five ODI matches.

IND vs NZ: Why is Axar Patel Not Playing Today’s India vs New Zealand 1st ODI? 

While revealing the squads for the New Zealand series, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) mentioned that Axar Patel will be unavailable for selection due to family commitments and reports also suggest that the left arm spinner might be getting married. Axar was named the Man of the Series during the recently concluded three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka for his brilliant all-round performance both with the bat and ball. He was also part of the India playing 11 during the three ODI games against the Lankan team. However, in his absence, it will be an opportunity for right arm off-spinner Washington Sundar to perform well in the opening ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday.

IND Playing 11

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Shubman Gill
3. Virat Kohli
4. Ishan Kishan (wk)
5. Suryakumar Yadav
6. Hardik Pandya
7. Washington Sundar
8. Shardul Thakur
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Mohammed Shami
11. Mohammed Siraj

India vs New Zealand 2023 Schedule