The fourth ODI will be played in Mount Maunganui on November 13.
India, which has a lead of 2-0 after three ODIs, will be without Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Anshul Kamboj, who, as per previous arrangements, have left the ODI squad to join the Test squad for prepping for the two-Test series that begins on November 19.
Aakash Chopra, former Indian player, named his XI for the fourth ODI between India and New Zealand. Ishan Kishan was chosen by him as an opener, while Ruturaj Gaikwad was assigned the No. 5 slot.
"The big question for the Indian selectors and team management would be whether to play Ishan Kishan as an opener or a middle-order batter. I would make him open. It will be a left-right combination. He can open with Rohit Sharma," said Chopra in a video on his YouTube channel.
"If that happens, you can comfortably play Ruturaj Gaikwad at No. 4 or No. 5 because when Ruturaj played the last time, he played at No. 4. He scored a hundred as well, but he is not getting chances. So, this is a very good opportunity. It seems like Ruturaj can be made to open because it is his natural batting position, but thus far you have made him bat in the middle when you get a chance. When you did that then, do it now as well. Ishan Kishan can open in any case. So, make him open," he added.
Naman Dhir and Axar Patel were picked as all-rounders, while Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh were chosen as pacers by Aakash Chopra. He further stated that, depending on the conditions of the match, either Kuldeep Yadav or Mohammed Siraj would be included in his playing XI.
"So, I will have Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan as openers, then Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Naman Dhir, and Axar Patel. After that, Auqib Nabi. I am going to play Auqib Nabi in all the matches. He will be my batter as well at No. 8. Then I will keep Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh," Chopra said.
"The last player will be a toss-up depending on the pitch. Since Mount Maunganui is a slightly bigger ground, can I play Kuldeep there? In such a scenario, I won't be able to play Siraj. Otherwise, you will continue with four fast bowlers—Auqib, Gurnoor, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh. So, I see only one of Kuldeep or Siraj playing," he added.
Aakash Chopra's India playing XI for the 4th ODI vs New Zealand:
Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav/Mohammed Siraj.