Auckland, November 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India captain Shubman Gill has said he would have preferred the T20I series against New Zealand to be scheduled between the ODIs and Tests, arguing that the current fixture sequence has forced the team to rest some of its first-choice players for the final two matches of the 50-over series.
India begin their five-match ODI series against New Zealand on Wednesday, with the matches scheduled to conclude on November 15. The two-Test series starts on November 19, leaving a short turnaround for players expected to feature in both formats.
With India preparing for the 2027 ODI World Cup while also pursuing a place in the World Test Championship final, Gill said both assignments were important and the scheduling had created a selection challenge.
“If it was in my hands and all the players were fit, I would have liked to have all the players who we are looking at playing during the World Cup for the full ODI series,” Gill said on the eve of the opening match in Auckland.
He added that a sequence of ODIs followed by T20Is and then Tests would have allowed India to field its strongest available squad throughout the five-match ODI series while giving Test players time to prepare for the longer format.
Gill and KL Rahul are among the players who will miss the final two ODIs as India manage their resources ahead of the Test series.
The India skipper also said the World Test Championship race had become more competitive following South Africa’s 2-1 series victory over Australia.
Gill believes India can strengthen their prospects with a good performance in New Zealand and a subsequent home series against Australia.
“The WTC scenario has become very interesting,” he said, adding that the upcoming Test assignments offered India an opportunity to push for a place in the June 2027 final.
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