Photo via CricTracker

NZ vs IND 1st ODI: India's strongest predicted bowling attack

India’s opening ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park on November 4 will test a bowling attack stripped of its most potent weapon, with Jasprit Bumrah rested for the series. Without Bumrah, the Men in Blue must rely on a frontline spearheaded by Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh, who will open the bowling.

Siraj, known for his seam and swing, steps into the void left by Bumrah, while Arshdeep’s left-arm angle and death-bowling experience add variety to the attack. Gurnoor Brar, a high-pace seamer with 14 wickets in nine ODIs this year, will anchor the middle overs, offering bounce and aggression on a hard, grassy surface that favors seamers early on.

The spin options are limited to Axar Patel, who will look to slow New Zealand’s middle order with flat, quick left-arm spin. The compact boundaries at Eden Park mean batsmen will struggle to exploit slower deliveries, making Patel’s pace and accuracy crucial.

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir will provide all-round support, though their primary role remains to bolster the bowling depth rather than dominate the attack. With no traditional spin or pace depth, India’s strategy hinges on Siraj and Arshdeep’s ability to dominate the new ball and Brar’s impact in the middle phase.

Up nextCricket· 5h ago

Watch: Lizelle Lee’s big keeping error costs Hurricanes a last-ball win over Renegades