Arshdeep option in focus as India eye series win in Indore
January 18, 2026: With the three-match ODI series locked at 1-1, Team India will take on New Zealand in the decisive third match on Sunday at Indore, aiming to bounce back after a surprising seven-wicket loss in Rajkot. India had earlier taken the lead with a comfortable four-wicket win in the opener, but the series is now wide open, setting the stage for an aggressive contest at the Holkar Stadium.
India were forced into a change in the second ODI after Washington Sundar was ruled out with an injury, bringing Nitish Kumar Reddy into the XI ahead of Ayush Badoni. Reddy adds depth with his seam-bowling option and late-order hitting, while Badoni’s case rested on his composure and technique against spin. For the decider, the focus has shifted to conditions in Indore, where variations with the ball often trump raw pace, strengthening the case for left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh.
Arshdeep’s ability to swing the new ball, attack the stumps, and deliver accurate yorkers at the death could prove vital against New Zealand’s right-heavy batting lineup. However, fitting him into the XI poses a selection dilemma, with Mohammed Siraj certain to retain his new-ball role. The likely trade-off could be Prasidh Krishna, whose form has been underwhelming, or an extra spinner. India’s probable Playing XI reads: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna or Arshdeep Singh.