IND vs NZ 3rd ODI: Why Prasidh Krishna Is Not Playing In Today’s Match? Explained

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IND vs NZ 3rd ODI: India made a key change ahead of the series-deciding third ODI against New Zealand on Sunday, January 18, with pacer Prasidh Krishna left out of the playing XI to accommodate Arshdeep Singh. The decision came moments after skipper Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first, aiming to exploit favourable early conditions on a hard Indore surface.

Prasidh, who returned figures of 0/49 in nine overs in the previous ODI while defending 285, was the one to make way despite not being the most expensive bowler on the day.

Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav all conceded runs at a faster clip, but the team management opted for a rotation-based move with the T20I series and T20 World Cup approaching.

Arshdeep's inclusion marks an important opportunity for the left-arm pacer, who had been benched following Mohammed Siraj's arrival in the ODI squad. Although he has played three ODIs against New Zealand back in 2022 without taking a wicket, the team is keen to give him game time, especially with the focus on sharpening India's bowling plans in the middle overs.

Gill explained the thinking behind bowling first and the lone change at the toss. "We will bowl first. That is what we spoke about (on the decision to bowl), batting first, New Zealand put us under pressure. One of the decisions we are bowling first is that the surface looks good, don't expect a lot of dew, runs on the board would let us chase better," he said. "Need to vary our lengths in the middle-overs, that is what we want to do. One change, Arshdeep comes in place of Prasidh," the skipper added.

New Zealand, who drew the series level with a convincing win in the second ODI, opted for continuity and named an unchanged XI.

India have not lost a bilateral ODI series at home since their 2019 defeat to Australia, but that impressive streak now faces a genuine challenge. As India reshuffle their pace attack with an eye on future assignments, Arshdeep's performance could hold significant value in shaping the team's white-ball plans moving forward.