Ajay Jadeja suggests resting Arshdeep Singh for Mohammed Siraj in India's 3rd ODI XI against New Zealand

India head into the 3rd ODI of their five-match series against New Zealand at Seddon Park, Hamilton on November 10, 2026, already holding a 2-0 lead after winning the 2nd ODI on November 7 via the DLS method by four runs.

With the series well in hand, former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja has suggested that the team management consider one change to the playing XI, specifically resting left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh and bringing in Mohammed Siraj, who has not featured in the first two ODIs. Jadeja noted that Arshdeep had taken four wickets in the 1st ODI but went wicketless in the 2nd ODI, and that the pacer has been in continuous action across T20I and ODI cricket. Siraj, meanwhile, was given a break during the first two ODIs.

"In the T20Is, after winning 3-0, you finished 3-2. So there won't be too many changes until it becomes 3-0. One change might happen. Arshdeep has bowled extremely well. He has been playing T20Is as well, and we haven't seen Siraj thus far. It's not because of performance, but to see how this attack functions without a left-arm seamer," Jadeja said on the Sony Sports Network.

Jadeja further elaborated on the nature of the potential change, stating that alterations to the side would be more easily feasible among the fast bowlers, as compared to the spinners or batting lineup.

"India are using all these matches to prepare the team for the World Cup. A right-hander would come in place of a left-hander. There is no chance of a change in batting. You won't add a spinner because it is a small ground. So, if this is a change for India, it's not tactical, but to give someone a little rest. He (Arshdeep) has been playing consistently, and this is to get him (Siraj) back into the game," he added.

What changes does Jadeja expect in India's batting order for the 3rd ODI?

Jadeja was firm that the top order would remain unchanged for the 3rd ODI. He pointed to the established nature of India's batting line-up and the form shown by the senior players across the series so far.

"I think it's early because you didn't play them at the start. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill are the top order. How will you change them? Shreyas Iyer would want to play a little more because he has scored runs in the previous two matches, but he would think about improving because of how he got dismissed. So you won't want to leave him out either," he said.

Jadeja also addressed the position of KL Rahul, Naman Dhir, Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad in the squad pecking order. He noted that Rahul had not yet had an opportunity to bat in the series, and that Naman Dhir had been promoted ahead of others in the ODI set-up.

Where do KL Rahul, Naman Dhir, Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad stand in India's ODI plans?

With India's top three settled and Shreyas Iyer holding his place on the back of runs scored in the first two matches, Jadeja outlined the limited room available for other batters in the squad. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill are also set to miss the last two ODIs of the series as they prepare for the subsequent two-match Test series against New Zealand. Jadeja was direct about the constraints facing the lower-order options:

"KL Rahul hasn't had his turn at all. You have taken Naman Dhir ahead of the others in ODIs. So you won't leave him out after two matches, and ideally, you won't want to play Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad at No. 7. You can play them up to No. 4. You won't make a place for them at No. 7," he said.

The remarks underline that India's batting combination is unlikely to see significant movement for the Hamilton fixture, with the only anticipated change being in the pace bowling attack. Siraj's inclusion, if it happens, would mark his first appearance in the ODI leg of the tour after he was rested for the opening two matches. Shreyas Iyer, who scored runs in both the 1st and 2nd ODIs, is also expected to retain his place according to Jadeja's assessment.