India head into the fourth ODI against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui with an unassailable 2-0 series lead following the washout in Hamilton. The hosts can no longer win the series and will be aiming to level the contest at best. After rain affected all three previous matches, the forecast looks more promising for Friday, with clear weather expected despite recent rainfall in the city.

The venue change also brings several changes to India’s squad. Shreyas Iyer will take over the captaincy as Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj join the Test preparations. Their absence creates opportunities for Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma to make an impression in the batting order.

New Zealand have also reshuffled their squad, adding Finn Allen, Mitch Hay, Dean Foxcroft and Brett Randell. Several regular players, including Test captain Tom Latham, have departed to prepare for the opening Test at Basin Reserve.

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Clear conditions are expected in Mount Maunganui. However, recent ODI records suggest the surface could offer assistance to bowlers. The last 300-plus total at this venue came in February 2020, when New Zealand scored 300/5 while chasing India’s 296/7.

New Zealand

New Zealand could receive a major boost ahead of the fourth ODI against India, with experienced fast bowler Matt Henry in contention to return after recovering from a head injury. Henry suffered the injury following a collision with Devon Conway during a training session before the series. He is also managing a low-grade quadriceps tear sustained during the second T20I. Meanwhile, Blair Tickner remains unavailable as he serves the ICC’s mandatory seven-day stand-down period after being struck by a ball while batting in the second ODI.

Probable XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Will Young, Nick Kelly, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Dean Foxcroft, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher

India

India are also expected to make changes to their playing XI. With Shubman Gill unavailable, Ishan Kishan is likely to partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma are competing for a place in the middle order following KL Rahul’s departure. In the bowling department, Mohammed Siraj could receive an opportunity, having last featured in an ODI against the West Indies.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad/Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Auqib Nabi, Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh