India likely to rest Arshdeep Singh, hand debut in second ODI vs New Zealand

The second ODI between India and New Zealand will be played in Rajkot on Wednesday. India won the first ODI in Vadodara by four wickets. If the team led by Shubman Gill wins in Rajkot, they will take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. India might have to make one change to their playing XI for the second ODI. All-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the remaining two matches of the series. Sundar sustained an injury while bowling in the first ODI, due to which he was ruled out of the series on Monday.

Ayush Badoni to get a place in the team

26-year-old Ayush Badoni has been included in the Indian ODI team in place of Sundar. There is a strong possibility that the Delhi player will make his debut for India on Wednesday. Last year, Sundar was sent to bat at number 5 in the home series against South Africa. He was supposed to bat at the same position in the first ODI against New Zealand as well, but due to his injury, the Indian team management had to change their plans and Ravindra Jadeja was promoted up the order.

Badoni is a strong all-rounder

In Sundar's absence, India needs a number 5 batsman for the second ODI who can also contribute with the ball. Ayush Badoni fits perfectly into this role. As an alternative to Sundar, India also has the option of choosing Nitish Kumar Reddy or Dhruv Jurel, but Badoni is expected to be given priority. Reddy is a fast-bowling all-rounder, and India is expected to play three specialist fast bowlers. In such a situation, including another fast bowler would not be very sensible. On the other hand, Jurel is a wicketkeeper-batsman who cannot bowl, so choosing him would be even less sensible. Arshdeep to remain on the bench

Based on his performance in domestic cricket, Badoni is a far better batsman than Reddy and can also contribute with his spin bowling. In his second-to-last match for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 against Railways, Badoni took three wickets. The Indian team management is not expected to make any further changes to the playing XI for the second match. This means that left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh will once again remain on the bench.

India's probable playing XI for the second ODI against New Zealand:

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ayush Badoni, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.