IND vs NZ: Why is Umran Malik Not Playing Today’s India vs New Zealand 1st ODI? Check IND Playing 11

Umran Malik IND vs NZ 2023: In a big news development, India are once again not playing their premier fast bowler Umran Malik in the opening ODI match against the visiting New Zealand team being held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. After having lost both of their previous away ODI series in Bangladesh and New Zealand, the Indian team will certainly be feeling very much high on confidence as they registered an incredible 3-0 ODI series whitewash against Sri Lanka at home. India will want to keep doing well in the 50-overs format on consistent basis before the all-important ODI World Cup 2023 at home scheduled to be played later this year.

IND vs NZ: Why is Umran Malik Not Playing Today’s India vs New Zealand 1st ODI? 

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, India captain Rohit Sharma mentioned that they are playing Shardul Thakur in the side for this first game against New Zealand, It is really surprising that tearaway speedster Umran Malik will be warming the bench for the second ODI match in a row as he also sat out during the last game against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram. Umran bowled the fastest delivery by an Indian pacer in ODI cricket history when he clocked 156 kmph bowling speed in the first ODI against the Lankan side and even hit 155 kmph during the T20I series. But Rohit has already stated that the Men in Blue were looking for some batting cushion lower down the order and this is why Shardul made a return to the ODI squad after missing the Sri Lanka home series.

“You want to play your best eleven at the end of the day. Number eight and nine is going to be a challenge for us, someone who can bat at that point. That is why we got Shardul in, he can give us that edge at number eight,” said India captain Rohit Sharma during the pre-match press conference.

Umran Malik Fastest Ball: Umran Malik Bowling Speed

For India, Umran Malik has shown the entire world that he can be a crucial part of the playing XI for the 50-overs World Cup due to his amazing ability of taking wickets in the middle-overs with some sensational pace. Umran bowled the fastest ball ever by an Indian pacer in ODI cricket when he hit 156 kmph in the first ODI match in Guwahati.

IND Playing 11

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Shubman Gill
3. Virat Kohli
4. Ishan Kishan (wk)
5. Suryakumar Yadav
6. Hardik Pandya
7. Washington Sundar
8. Shardul Thakur
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Mohammed Shami
11. Mohammed Siraj

India vs New Zealand 2023 Schedule