Top 3 bowlers to watch out for in NZ vs IND 1st ODI

The first ODI of India’s tour of New Zealand 2026/27 is scheduled for November 4, 2026, at Eden Park, Auckland. The day/night fixture begins at 3:00 p.m. NZDT, which is 7:30 a.m. IST, and opens a five-match series running through November 15, 2026, across Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, and Tauranga.

India arrive having won the preceding T20I series 3-2, while New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner in the ODI format, will be eager to build on their 2-1 ODI series victory on Indian soil in January 2026. With the toss yet to take place, probable XIs are based on preview information, and three bowlers stand out as ones to follow closely when play gets under way.

Here are top three bowlers to watch out for in 1st ODI:

1. Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj has collected 77 wickets from 51 ODIs, maintaining a bowling average of 25.69 and an economy rate of 5.16. His best ODI figures of 6/21 underline his ability to dismantle batting line-ups at pace. Siraj’s control with the new ball and his capacity to generate movement make him a key threat at Eden Park, where conditions can assist seamers, particularly under lights.

2. Matt Henry

Matt Henry has claimed 172 wickets in 95 ODIs at an average of 24.99 and an economy rate of 5.21. His best ODI return of 5/30 reflects his ability to take wickets in clusters. Henry was involved in the pre-match collision that ruled Devon Conway out of the opening ODI, yet he is expected to lead New Zealand’s pace attack alongside Jacob Duffy. His new-ball partnership with Duffy is regarded as a potential match-shaping combination if Eden Park offers assistance for seamers.

3. Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav leads the three featured bowlers in wickets, having taken 201 scalps in 124 ODIs. He operates at an economy rate of 5.09, the lowest among the trio, and holds a bowling average of 26.94. His best ODI figures stand at 6/25. The left-arm wrist-spinner’s contest against Glenn Phillips has been flagged as one of the key individual battles of the series. Among the three bowlers, Kuldeep’s tally of 201 wickets is the highest, while Henry’s average of 24.99 is the best of the group and Kuldeep’s economy of 5.09 edges out Siraj’s 5.16 and Henry’s 5.21.