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Gill Details Flexible Middle‑Order Strategy Ahead of New Zealand ODI Series

By Amit Kumar

India captain Shubman Gill has explained the team’s approach to the middle‑order positions before the five‑match ODI series against New Zealand. Gill said India will use a flexible plan for the No. 5 and No. 6 spots, with Axar Patel and KL Rahul expected to fill those roles depending on the match situation. The series will begin on Wednesday at Eden Park in Auckland. Gill noted that the top four batting positions are set, all right‑handers, and that the team is open to changes in the middle order. "We will have a floating approach for no. 5 and no. 6. Our top four is set, all right‑handers. So if a lefty is needed, Axar bhai goes and depending on the match situation even KL bhai can go. So bit flexible," he said ahead of the opening ODI.

Gill also addressed concerns about a neck issue that had troubled him earlier. He had suffered a cervical disc bulge and neck spasm in late 2025, which kept him out of international cricket for about a month. The injury occurred on the second day of the Kolkata Test against South Africa, after which he was taken to hospital for examination. He was discharged the next day and later travelled to Guwahati on November 19, 2025. Gill said he was not experiencing any discomfort and had completed his batting and fielding duties without problems. "No issue… I batter for close to one and a half hours and did my fielding without any trouble too. No issue at all," he added.