Shubman Gill trains for three hours ahead of IND vs NZ ODIs; Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma skip nets

Shubman Gill Leads India’s Eden Park Preparations Ahead of New Zealand ODI Series

India captain Shubman Gill made the most of a limited preparation window on Monday, spending close to three hours training at Auckland’s Eden Park before the opening match of the ODI series against New Zealand. While Gill and KL Rahul worked through extended batting and fielding routines, Virat Kohli completed a gym session at the venue. Rohit Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad remained indoors.

The five-match series is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, November 4, with the first ODI at Eden Park. India’s full squad is expected to train together on Tuesday, leaving the team with just one collective outdoor session before the opener. Several players were travelling from Hamilton, where the fifth T20I had been held, making Monday’s individual work particularly valuable.

Gill and Rahul Put in Extended Work at the Nets

According to The Times of India, Gill missed Sunday’s practice but returned to the ground for a substantial session the following day. He began with throwdowns before moving into batting practice and a lengthy fielding workout alongside spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule.

Rahul was the only other designated batter to join Gill in the nets. Local spin and pace bowlers supplied the practice, while fast bowlers Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi rested after delivering long spells the previous day. That split in workload allowed the batters to focus on timing and shot selection without adding to the fast bowlers’ recent demands.

Rahul first practised with the wicketkeeping gloves, spending about 15 minutes taking throwdowns from Dayanand Garani and Nuwan Seneviratne. He then padded up and joined Gill on the centre wicket. During his batting stint, Rahul played several familiar strokes, including powerful inside-out drives, before finishing his session and heading back through the tunnel.

Gill stayed on after batting to work on his fielding. He practised close-in and slip catches before moving towards the boundary to take high balls. The India captain also received a brief neck massage, a detail that may be relevant as he manages his workload. Neck stiffness has reportedly troubled him when training intensity rises, making careful preparation important ahead of a demanding series.

Fans Gather to Catch a Glimpse of India’s Batters

The practice session drew attention from spectators near the square boundary. Some fans called out to Gill, asking for an autograph and identifying themselves as supporters from Moga in Punjab. Others hoped to take photographs or selfies with the two batters.

Such moments are a reminder that India’s overseas training sessions can attract a following of their own, even before a match begins. Eden Park’s central Auckland location makes it accessible to local supporters, while the presence of high-profile players adds to the anticipation surrounding the series.

Kohli Trains Indoors as Rohit and Gaikwad Sit Out

About an hour into the session, a luxury car emerged from the tunnel near the dressing rooms and briefly stopped close to the exit. Kohli was in the front seat after completing a gym workout at the venue. He did not join the outdoor batting or fielding drills before leaving.

Rohit and Gaikwad also stayed indoors on Monday. Their absence from the ground session does not necessarily signal a concern; players often follow individual programmes that balance recovery, conditioning and skill work. They are expected to continue preparing with the rest of the squad on Tuesday, when India’s final team training session is planned before the series opener.

With limited time between the T20I schedule and the ODI campaign, India’s preparations are likely to focus on adapting to the longer format, assessing conditions and sharpening combinations. At Eden Park, the short boundaries and distinctive ground dimensions can influence batting plans, while bowlers must be precise with their lengths and variation.

Split Leadership and Squad Changes Shape India’s Plans

India have named a split leadership group for the five-match series. Gill is set to captain the team in the first three ODIs, with Shreyas Iyer taking over for the final two. The arrangement gives the selectors a chance to manage leadership responsibilities across the tour while keeping the squad’s plans flexible.

Jasprit Bumrah is not part of the ODI group and is expected to feature only in the Test series. Hardik Pandya will miss the entire tour. India have also had to adjust their fast-bowling options after Prasidh Krishna was ruled out with a left hamstring injury sustained during the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati.

Auqib Nabi, initially named for the final two matches, has moved into the group for the first three ODIs as Krishna’s replacement. His inclusion gives India another pace option as the team finalises its bowling combinations. Nitish Kumar Reddy, meanwhile, is available only for the opening ODI before joining India A in Lincoln.

What to Watch in the Series Opener

Tuesday’s full-squad practice will be important for India’s final preparations, particularly as the team has had little time to train together in Auckland. It should provide a clearer indication of batting positions, bowling roles and how the side intends to approach New Zealand conditions.

Gill’s long session suggests the captain is keen to arrive at the opener with his timing and fielding sharp. Rahul’s work with both the gloves and the bat may also be significant as India weigh their wicketkeeping and middle-order options. Kohli, Rohit and Gaikwad will have their own preparation plans, but their involvement in the next team session will attract attention.

Any prediction for the opening ODI must account for the short build-up, the changing squad availability and the demands of playing at Eden Park. India have experienced batters and several pace options, but New Zealand’s familiarity with local conditions could make the contest challenging. The first match will offer an early test of how quickly Gill’s side can settle into the 50-over format—and whether Monday’s focused individual work translates into a strong start to the series.