Why is Arshdeep Singh not playing IND vs NZ 1st ODI?

India are ready for their first match in 2026, as the Men in Blue are hosting the first game of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand at Vadodara. The left-arm Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh is on the bench for the first ODI, and here we will know the reason for his absence in the ODI series opener. 

Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara is making its men's international cricket debut with Sunday's ODI between India and New Zealand. While the pitch is tricky in itself, Indian captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl first.

For the ODI series opener, India have gone with six bowling options: three pacers and three spinners. While the spinners are Kuldeep Yadav, along with the all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, the pacers for the Vadodara ODI are Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna. 

See Also: IND vs NZ 1st ODI Playing XIs in Vadodara

Arshdeep Singh misses first ODI against New Zealand

The 26-year-old Indian left-arm medium fast bowler Arshdeep Singh is very consistent in white-ball cricket, as he is the leading wicket-taker for India in the T20I format. After making his ODI debut in 2022, Arshdeep has recorded 22 wickets in 14 ODIs. In the last ODI series against South Africa last December, Arshdeep was the third leading wicket-taker with five wickets in three games. 

No injury news for Arshdeep Singh

Well, there is no news of Arshdeep ahead of the first ODI. However, the Indian team management is experimenting at the moment, and Arshdeep's exclusion from the first ODI is probably a part of this. Also, Arshdeep will have to play a major role for the Men in Blue in the battle to retain the T20 World Cup title, which India and Sri Lanka will jointly host from February 7, with less than a month to go. 

So, it is likely we will see more in and out for Arshdeep and other Indian pacers in the ODI and T20I series against New Zealand, which is proper preparation for the Men in Blues before hosting the T20 World Cup.