Gill would have preferred ODIs before T20Is on New Zealand tour

India captain Shubman Gill stated that playing the ODI series at the start of the tour would have allowed the team to utilize a full-strength squad to prepare for the World Cup, according to ESPNcricinfo. Ahead of the five-match series against New Zealand beginning Wednesday at Eden Park in Auckland, Gill outlined plans for the middle order.

He noted that while the top four batting positions are settled with all right-handers, the team will adopt a flexible approach for the number 5 and number 6 roles, with Axar Patel and KL Rahul expected to fill those positions depending on match situations.

The Times of India reports that Gill also dismissed concerns regarding a previous neck issue. He had previously been sidelined for nearly a month due to a cervical disc bulge and neck spasm that occurred during the second day of the Kolkata Test against South Africa in late 2025. Although the injury required hospital examination and observation, Gill said he is not experiencing any discomfort.

Brief written by urgent.news from ESPNcricinfo, Times of India — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.