The first One Day International of the three-match series between India and New Zealand, played on Sunday at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, was as much about the action off the field as on it. Even before a ball was bowled, the composition of the Indian playing XI became the central talking point, overshadowing the match itself for many fans.
Social Media Erupts Over Arshdeep's Surprising Absence
The most notable and unexpected omission was that of left-arm pace bowler Arshdeep Singh. The decision came as a shock to supporters, especially since Arshdeep had featured in the final ODI against South Africa just last month and was widely anticipated to play. In his place, Mohammed Siraj returned to the ODI setup after being sidelined since November.
As soon as the official team list was announced, social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram were inundated with a flood of humorous memes and jokes. The central question posed by netizens was a simple yet viral one: "Where is Arshdeep Singh?" This light-hearted reaction highlighted the pacer's growing popularity and the surprise surrounding the selectors' call.
Iyer's Welcome Return and Gill's Toss Decision
Amidst the Arshdeep chatter, there was positive news for the Indian camp with the return of Shreyas Iyer. The middle-order batsman made his comeback to international cricket after a gap of nearly two months, having recovered from an injury sustained during the ODI series against Australia. Iyer had used the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy to regain match fitness and form, and his inclusion bolstered India's batting lineup.
At the toss, stand-in captain Shubman Gill won and elected to bowl first. Explaining the decision, Gill pointed to the potential dew factor later in the evening. "We want to try different combinations and see how that works. Surface looks good, hope it will be easier to bat with the dew coming in in the second innings," he stated. He also confirmed the team's bowling resources, mentioning Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja as the three spinners in a six-bowler attack.
Bracewell's Perspective on Conditions
New Zealand's captain, Michael Bracewell, revealed that his side would have also chosen to bowl first had they won the toss. Acknowledging the value of the series as preparation for the upcoming World Cup, Bracewell said, "Playing in these conditions before the WC is a huge advantage." He also noted the difference in pitch behavior, suggesting the Vadodara wicket looked "a bit lower than wickets in NZ." He introduced debutants Kristian Clarke and Adi Ashok as part of the Black Caps' playing eleven.
The series opener thus set the stage with intriguing selection calls, a key player's return from injury, and the typical strategic nuances of an ODI contest, all under the watchful and often witty eye of cricket fans on social media.
