Prasidh Krishna Ruled Out of India’s ODI Series Against New Zealand
India fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has been ruled out of the upcoming five-match cricket ODI series against New Zealand after failing to recover sufficiently from a hamstring injury. Rather than rush back into international action, the Karnataka seamer is set to join India A for the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A, provided he passes the required Return to Play assessment.
The decision reflects India’s focus on managing Krishna’s workload ahead of the two-Test series that follows the ODIs. The team will need to balance immediate bowling options with the longer-term value of having a fully fit fast bowler available for red-ball cricket. According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Krishna needs more time to build up the workload required to compete safely in matches.
Hamstring injury delays Krishna’s return
Krishna sustained the injury during the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati on September 30. He bowled only five overs before leaving the field, and his recovery has not progressed quickly enough for him to be considered for the New Zealand one-dayers, which begin on November 4.
His availability had already been in doubt. Cricbuzz reported on October 28 that his participation in the ODI series was uncertain, with head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill understood to be keen on having him ready for the Test assignments instead. The BCCI has not named a replacement for Krishna in the ODI squad.
His absence adds to India’s pace-bowling considerations, with Jasprit Bumrah also unavailable for the series after being rested. Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh are among the experienced seamers in the updated ODI group, while the selectors have included several other options to provide depth across the five matches.
Nitish Kumar Reddy to play only the first ODI
All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, initially selected for the full ODI leg, will now feature only in the opening match. He is then expected to join the India A squad for the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A, scheduled to begin on November 6.
The change is designed to give Reddy valuable red-ball experience before India’s first Test against New Zealand in Wellington on November 19. A spell in a four-day match could help him prepare for the different demands of Test cricket, where sustained bowling, patience and the ability to contribute with the bat can be just as important as short bursts of impact in limited-overs games.
For fans following the series, these squad adjustments add an extra layer to the cricket prediction conversation. India’s ODI plans will depend on how effectively its available seamers share the workload, while the team’s longer-format prospects may be influenced by the fitness and preparation of Krishna and Reddy. As ever, predictions should be treated as informed speculation: selection, conditions and player fitness can quickly change the outlook.
India’s updated ODI squads
For the first three ODIs: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy (first ODI only).
For the fourth and fifth ODIs: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (vice-captain), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav.
The leadership change for the final two games is another notable feature of the schedule. Iyer is set to captain those matches, while Gill leads the side for the first three. The staggered squads also give India an opportunity to assess different combinations and manage players across a demanding sequence of fixtures.
Mohammed Siraj joins India A in Christchurch
Elsewhere, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been added to India A’s squad for the second unofficial Test against New Zealand A. The four-day match begins on October 31 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, giving Siraj a chance to build match rhythm in red-ball conditions before the senior Test series.
Siraj joins a group featuring several players with international and first-class experience, led by wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel. India A narrowly missed a memorable victory in the first unofficial Test at Lincoln, where New Zealand A held on for a draw as fading light brought the contest to a close. KL Rahul, who played in that match, will not take part in Christchurch as he turns his attention to the ODI series.
The second game should offer useful preparation for India’s wider Test group. New Zealand conditions can challenge visiting batters and bowlers alike, and time at the crease or spells with the red ball may help players adjust to the surfaces and atmosphere before the senior side’s campaign begins.
India A squad for the second unofficial Test: Dhruv Jurel (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Yash Rathod, R. Smaran, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Shikhar Mohan, Mukesh Choudhary, Mukesh Kumar, Manav Suthar and Kumar Kushagra.
Fitness management shapes India’s New Zealand plans
Krishna’s absence and Reddy’s revised schedule underline how carefully India is managing players across formats. The ODI series provides a chance to test squad depth, but the upcoming Tests remain a major consideration. For Krishna, the priority is completing a safe return-to-play process and rebuilding bowling workload rather than meeting an immediate selection deadline.
That approach could benefit India if it allows the seamer to return fully prepared for longer spells in the Test series. In the meantime, the ODI squad will rely on its available pace and spin options, while India A’s fixtures offer key players valuable preparation. Those developments will shape team selection—and the cricket prediction discussion—throughout India’s tour of New Zealand.
