India pacer Prasidh Krishna had picked up an injury during the second ODI of the series against West Indies and was ruled out of the third ODI. Krishna can spend a few weeks on the sidelines as he recovers from left hamstring injury, keeping him in doubt for the ODI series against New Zealand. Krishna does not seem to be the top choice for T20Is but he is in India’s plans for ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa. The latest injury puts him in doubt for the ODI series.
After the five-T20I series against West Indies, India will play an ODI series against New Zealand which will be played from October 22 to November 1. The ODI series does not start until November 4. As per a report by TOI, Krishna will need at least three weeks to recover from the injury.
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It is yet to be seen whether the men’s selection committee led by interim head Pragyan Ojha picks Krishna for the ODIs with his participation subject to fitness. It will be a tough decision for the selectors as they would not want to compromise on the ODI World Cup 2027 preparations. But, they need the tall pacer for the two-Test series against the Kiwis which will begin on November 19.
In addition, Karnataka pacer Krishna is unlikely to play in the opening round of Ranji Trophy 2026-27. The report further suggests that the 30-year-old is likely to bowl with full intensity in four weeks.
Gill on injuries to key players
In the recently-concluded ODI series against West Indies, India ODI captain Shubman Gill expressed frustration over injuries and scheduling leading to absence of key players. Anshul Kamboj got the ODI debut cap in Krishna's absence and remained wicketless as West Indies pulled off their highest successful ODI run chase.
“I would say it’s been unfortunate, you know, with the injuries and with the scheduling with the other matches being around. It’s been a little bit unfortunate that we have not been able to play the bowling lineup that we would like to,” Gill told reporters.
Earlier, in the ODI series against England, Gill did not have services of pace-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the ODI series decider due to a knee injury. India ended up losing the series decider where they condeded 387/3.
"If you keep the World Cup as the goal where we have to play 11 matches in a row and here we have players not being able to finish a two-to-three-match series. So there is some limitation where our players are not being able to play continuously, they play one or two matches, they suffer a niggle and then we are forced to play a different combination which we originally did not plan to play,” Gill had said after ODI series loss to England.
"So keeping all this mind it becomes a little difficult that you come to the ground on the morning and you come to know a player has a niggle, then it's almost like do you want to take a chance? Some player is 80% fit, you are playing with five bowlers and if this player comes out after bowling five overs, then who will bowl? This is difficult. So as a group we need improved our fitness and all those things."
Will Krishna miss ODI series to prepare for the Test series?
In order to prepare for the crucial Test series, India A will take on New Zealand A in a three-unofficial Test series. The series will be played from October 24 to November 11. It is yet to be seen whether Krishna is asked to prove his match fitness by representing the India A or with a Ranji Trophy match.
If Krishna misses ODIs, who can replace him?
Krishna is another addition to the list of injured Indian players. India are already missing the services of Harshit Rana, Hardik Pandya. Nitish Kumar Reddy was not able to make an impact with the ball against the Caribbean side. Meanwhile, Suryansh Shedge has replaced Pandya in the One-Day series against Australia A.
But, India are likely to look for a like-for-like replacement for Krishna. Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj are likely to be the three pacers who will be picked first. Gurnoor Brar has got wickets under his belt but he has been leaking runs at over seven runs per over in the format. Also, Auqib Nabi and Kamboj did not make an impressive debut in batting-friendly conditions. The selectors may hand the long rope to Brar for the ODI series in New Zealand, especially with Krishna injured as the selectors seemed to have move on from Mohammed Shami. Prince Yadav is another option. He is relatively new to international cricket.
If Krishna misses the Test series as well, Nabi or Akash Deep are likely to replace him. Both of them can be a part of the squad as well considering New Zealand conditions. Mukesh Kumar has made a case for himself too after a stellar performance in the Irani Cup against Jammu & Kashmir.
When will India's squad for New Zealand tour be announced?
The senior selection committee is set to meet later this week after the exit of chief Ajit Agarkar. They met head coach Gautam Gambhir during the ODI series at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati as well in the presence of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia. The squads for at least T20I series will be announced this week. It is yet to be seen whether Bumrah is rested for the New Zealand T20I series as well to manage his workload.
New Zealand’s T20I squad announced
Meanwhile, New Zealand have unveiled their T20I squad already. The notable omission is all-rounder Rachin Ravindra who continues to recover from a shoulder injury he suffered during a promotional shoot. Pacer Ben Sears continues to be sidelined due to an injury as well.
New Zealand squad for 5-T20I series vs India — Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamiseon, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith.