Star Indian batter ruled out of the Ind vs NZ ODI series, Rajat Patidar set to replace him

Star Indian batter Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the upcoming India vs New Zealand three-match ODI series due to a back injury. Iyer will be heading to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for further assessment and management. Rajat Patidar, who plays for Madhya Pradesh in the domestic circuit and the Bangalore franchise in the Indian T20 League, has been named as his replacement in the squad.

“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 a replacement for Shreyas Iyer,” Indian Cricket Board said in a release.

Iyer was India’s highest run-getter in ODIs in 2022 where he scored 724 runs at an average of 55.69 and a strike rate of 91.52 with one hundred and six fifties to his name. However, he didn’t have the best of starts this year as he scored 28, 28 and 38 in the three innings he batted against Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, Patidar is yet to get his India cap but has been part of the limited-overs squads before. However, it is unlikely that he will get to make his debut in the first two matches of the series as the team management is expected to bring Suryakumar Yadav in Iyer’s place.

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Suryakumar Yadav likely to get a chance in place of Iyer

Having sealed his place in the T20I side, Surya will be looking to replicate similar performances in the ODIs as well which he has failed to deliver so far. Due to his insignificant returns in ODIs, Suryakumar didn’t get a chance to play in the first two ODIs against Sri Lanka. He got the opportunity in the last ODI as the team management decided to rest all-rounder Hardik Pandya, having already won the series.

The upcoming series against New Zealand will be the perfect platform for Suryakumar to show his ability in the ODIs as well. He has also received his maiden Test call-up for the first two Tests against Australia scheduled to start on 9^th February.

The first ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on 18^th January from 1:30 PM.

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.

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