Former India spinner Murali Kartik was left baffled by seeing India’s playing XI for the first ODI against New Zealand, which got underway on November 4, 2026, at Eden Park in Auckland. India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl first.
It was expected that in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah in the ODI squad, Mohammed Siraj would lead the pace attack. Since his debut in 2019, Siraj has played 51 ODIs, 23 of which came in 2023 when he took 44 wickets while averaging 20.68. However, since then, he has played only 10 ODIs, with his most recent appearance coming at home against the West Indies.
However, when India’s playing XI was revealed, Siraj was left out, with India going with Arshdeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, and Auqib Nabi forming the pace department. Many assumed that Siraj was rested from the first ODI, as he had recently featured for India A in the second four-day game against New Zealand A, taking four wickets.
However, Murali Kartik questioned Indian team management for excluding Siraj from the XI and wondered if the team has lost faith in his abilities in one-day cricket.
“I am trying to figure it out, because what is it? Gurnoor has gone for 96 or 97 runs twice now. Aaqib Nabi did really well in Ranji Trophy cricket. Why are you getting rid of Mohammed Siraj from the playing XI? What wrong has he done?" Kartik said on Cricbuzz.
Kartik has questioned the reason why Kuldeep Yadav has not received more playing time in ODI cricket. India went with Axar Patel and Naman Dhir as the two spin-bowling all-rounders for the first ODI.
Nonetheless, as per the suggestion of Ambati Rayudu, the reason for the same might be the conditions under which Kuldeep has to play.
“Maybe they are thinking that it’s New Zealand, so they are playing 3-4 fast bowlers—Nitish is not there, and that’s the reason they’ve played an extra fast bowler. India should play to their strengths—play three pacers and one spinner. Going forward, they are going to play Kuldeep," Rayudu said.
Kartik stated that giving a player a continuous run boosts their confidence, and he hopes that both Siraj and Kuldeep will be played more regularly.
“I hope Siraj gets a gig, because in the last series against West Indies, he played only one game. I want him because he’s been your best bowler, he has been the leader of the pack, and I just want to see Kuldeep Yadav play as well because he needs to get a run.
When you see his (Kuldeep’s) numbers in all formats, they are exceptional. It’s just that there’s a start and then a big stop, and then again, he has to start. As a player, you lose a bit of continuity, you start doubting yourself, and you could be part of the team, but you want to be part of the XI, and you want to be given that run where you feel you are the match winner, and it will go a long way. I hope these two guys get a good run," Kartik concluded.
Arshdeep Singh picked 4/70, while Gurnoor Brar took three wickets and Anshul Kamboj took two scalps as New Zealand was bowled out for 185 runs.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
