Fast bowler Auqib Nabi has been moved into India's squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand, making him part of the group for the entire five-match series. He steps in after Prasidh Krishna was ruled out with a hamstring injury, with the India pacer now focused on recovering for the Tests.Auqib Nabi replaces Prasidh Krishna in Indian ODI squad vs New Zealand. (PTI Photo) Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has been added to India's squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand, bringing him into the squad for the entire five-match series.
Nabi was initially named in the squad for the fourth and fifth matches, but the Men’s Selection Committee has now moved him into the group from the start of the series.Nabi's promotion comes after India speedster Prasidh Krishna was ruled out of the ODI series due to a hamstring injury. Prasidh has not fully recovered from the injury he sustained during the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati, where he managed one wicket for 45 runs in five overs before leaving the field.The 30-year-old was initially named in India's ODI squad subject to fitness.
However, with the team management keen to have him fully fit for the upcoming Test series, Prasidh will not travel for the 50-over assignments.Nabi had emerged as a possible replacement after impressing during India A's red-ball series against New Zealand A. His three-wicket burst in the first unofficial Test at Lincoln, along with the seam movement he generated, caught the attention of touring selectors Pragyan Ojha and Ajay Ratra.
INDIA'S UPDATED ODI SQUAD FOR FIRST 3 MATCHESWith Nabi moving into the squad for the first three matches, India's updated group will be led by Shubman Gill, with Shreyas Iyer serving as vice-captain. The squad also includes Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan.India's updated squad for the first three ODIs: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy (first ODI only) and Auqib Nabi.Nabi will also remain part of the squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs.
The squad for the final two matches will be led by Iyer, with Tilak Varma and Kumar Kushagra among the players included for that leg of the series.PRASIDH'S FOCUS SHIFTS TO TEST SERIESPrasidh's absence is a setback for India's ODI plans, but the team management is understood to be prioritising his recovery for the Test series. The pacer played a significant role in India's drawn series in England, finishing with 32 wickets in nine Tests and making an impact in the final match at The Oval.India have a relatively inexperienced pace attack for the ODI series.
Arshdeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj and Nabi will have limited international experience between them, while Mohammed Siraj is the only frontline pacer in the group with more than 50 ODI appearances. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested from the series to focus on the Tests.The five-match ODI series against New Zealand begins on November 4.- Ends