India vs New Zealand: Star India batsman ruled out of ODI series, BCCI names replacement

Team India has received a major setback before the upcoming first ODI against New Zealand. Star Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the ODI series due to back. BCCI confirmed the news and has named Rajat Patidar as the replacement. Shreyas Iyer has been in magical form in the last 6 months and has performed brilliantly for India across the 3 formats. Team India play the first ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday in Hyderabad.

IND vs NZ: Shreyas Iyer ruled out

"Team India batter Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the upcoming 3-match ODI series against New Zealand due to a back injury. He will be heading to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for further assessment and management. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Rajat Patidar as replacement for Shreyas Iyer," BCCI said in a statement. 

Shreyas Iyer has been one of the key performers for Team India in the last six months and has scored across all three formats. In the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka, he played several supportive knocks, especially in the second ODI. Shreyas Iyer is also a dependable batsman and one of the most important players in the Indian middle order. Team India will certainly feel Shreyas Iyer's absence in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.

Talking about his replacement, Rajat Patidar has been performing exceptionally well in both domestic cricket and for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. Rajat Patidar has been a part of Team India many times but never got a chance to play in the eleven. However, it is not likely that Rajat Patidar will get a chance to play against New Zealand.

India will play New Zealand in the first ODI in Hyderabad on 18th January. While New Zealand are high on confidence by beating Pakistan on their home soil, India are also in great form after clean sweeping Sri Lanka.

India’s updated ODI squad against New Zealand:

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (wk), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KS Bharat (wk), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Rajat Patidar, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik.