India Playing XI vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI- New Zealand tour of India 2026

India probable playing XI Vs New Zealand [Source: AFP Photo]

After a close-fought win in the first ODI against New Zealand, the Indian caravan moves to the second game in Rajkot on Wednesday as the hosts will aim to seal the series with yet another victory. The Indian team was cruising towards the target, but a mini collapse hampered an early finish before KL Rahul and Harshit Rana took matters into control.

However, during the first ODI, India suffered an injury jolt as Washington Sundar was ruled out of the remaining matches, and Ayush Badoni replaced him in the squad.

Will Badoni replace Sundar in the playing XI? Will India make any other big change? Here is how the team could lineup for the second ODI.

Top four sorted, who will bat at number 5?

• In Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer, India has the best top four in ODI cricket at the moment. There is experience and there is youth in the front four and all four of them have scored truckloads of runs in this format.
• Rohit and Gill had decent outings in the first ODI, while Kohli and Iyer played match-winning knocks as India won a close game. However, India’s main problems start at number 5.
• Before 2025, KL Rahul was India’s designated number 5 in ODIs, and the Karnataka batter had proven his worth at that position. However, since 2025, Gautam Gambhir has tried a plethora of options at number 5, and has demoted KL Rahul to number 6. It is to understand that KL Rahul is still India's best player at 5, and the numbers reveal the story.

(KL Rahul at number 5)

• The Indian keeper boasts a stellar record at number 5 and the data tells the story. He has racked up 1365 runs, at an average of nearly 60, and it showcases why India must play him at 5.

Nitish Reddy or Ayush Badoni: Who should bat at 6?

(Badoni and Nitish Reddy stats in List-A)

• There is not much to separate the two players on the basis of their List-A stats, but Badoni could be slightly ahead in the pecking order. Washington Sundar was a permanent member of the playing XI, and Badoni can be a like-for-like replacement.

• He has scored more List-A runs in fewer games as compared to NKR, and has also taken 18 wickets, and just like Sundar, Badoni can chip in with off-break bowling, and can also be used as a finisher by the Indian team.
• With Badoni at 6, Ravindra Jadeja will play at 7, and will be the second-spinner in the main team.

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Siraj, Harshit, Kuldeep sorted; Arshdeep to replace Prasidh?

• Kuldeep Yadav will be India’s front-line spinner alongside Jadeja, and the pace department will be controlled by Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj. However, there are doubts over Prasidh Krishna as the third seamer in the playing XI.
• Since 2023, Prasidh Krishna’s economy in the ODIs has gone up each year. In 2023, it was 7.20, in 2025, it turned out to be 7.72, and in the first match of 2026 against New Zealand, he conceded 60 runs in 9 overs at an economy of 6.67.
• Arshdeep Singh is waiting in the wings, and the bowler did well, picking up 10 wickets in six matches, with an economy of 5.59. His inclusion will bring control in the bowling attack, and Arshdeep will also bring in a left-arm angle, which is missing in the ODI bowling setup.

India's playing XI Vs New Zealand: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ayush Badoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj

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