5 players who could be picked for the fourth and fifth ODIs against New Zealand

The ODI series between India and New Zealand is at present locked at 1-1 and the action now shifts to Mohali, where the third ODI will be played on Sunday. Post that, however, the team for the final two ODIs against New Zealand will be announced.

We look at the players who could be picked for those matches which are scheduled to take place in Ranchi and Vizag:

Notable mentions: Pankaj Singh, Mayank Agarwal, and Sanju Samson.

#5 Karun Nair

The right-hander, who was picked for the tour of Zimbabwe in June earlier this year, could fancy his chances of finding a berth in the squad for the final two ODIs. Nair, who had a good 2015-16 Ranji Trophy season, where he made 500 runs in 7 matches at an average of 50, also put forth an impressive performance in the 2016 Indian Premier League, where he made 357 runs in 12 matches that included a match-winning knock against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

However, Nair had a mediocre tri-nation tournament with the India A squad in Australia, where he made 126 runs in 6 matches and did not fire in the one-off Test against Australia A either.

In the absence of regular captain R Vinay Kumar, who is recovering from a calf injury, the 24-year-old has been given the responsibility of captaining his state team and when the squad for the remaining two ODIs is announced, he will hope his name features in the list.

#4 Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal has been a revelation in the IPL but can he translate that success onto the International stage?

The leg-spinner from Haryana made his debut during the Zimbabwe tour, along with the likes of Nair and others and will hope to find a berth in the team for the remaining two ODIs.

Chahal does not have a great deal to shout about when it comes to his domestic performances but his IPL record speaks for itself. Chahal has been Virat Kohli's go-to man as far as bowling in the middle overs is concerned.

Chahal had a good tour of Australia with the India A side where he finished as the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 7 wickets in 4 matches that included a four-wicket haul in the final to help his side win the four-team competition.

He started the present Ranji Trophy season on a positive note, having picked up a six-wicket haul against Hyderabad and will hope to find a berth in the final two ODIs against New Zealand.

#3 Ambati Rayudu

Rayudu has failed to perform in Indian colours

The right-hander, who was also a part of the Zimbabwe tour in June earlier this year, will hope to find a berth in the squad for the remaining two ODIs. The 31-year-old, who averages an impressive 50.23 in 34 ODIs, scored a half-century in the first ODI against Zimbabwe but could not notch up a big enough score in the remaining matches, primarily because of a lack of opportunities to bat.

In a sense, Rayudu’s career as an Indian cricketer has been a mixture of bad fortune and his own poor run of form. He was a part of the Indian setup during the 2015 World Cup in Australia, but could not get a game and when MS Dhoni played him ahead of Ajinkya Rahane in the T20I series against South Africa, Rayudu failed to make an impact.

With the limited-overs side still looking to fill the gaps in the middle order, Rayudu will be hoping to get a place in the team and he will have to make the most of it if he does get that opportunity.

#2 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh found some form in the Ranji Trophy and could don the blue jersey again

The all-rounder, who made a comeback into the Indian setup in the T20 leg of India’s tour to Australia at the start of 2016 and then featured in almost every tournament until injuring himself during the World T20 group encounter against Australia in Mohali, has done his chances no harm by getting off to a good start in the present Ranji Trophy season.

After failing in the first game, Yuvraj bounced back in some style in the second game, scoring a 177 in the first innings and a critical 76 in the second innings, when Punjab were in a spot of bother.

Despite a low score in his side’s ongoing Ranji game against Bengal, Yuvraj could be in the reckoning for a berth in the squad for the final two ODIs and he will hope to do well if he does get a chance.

#1 Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep was unlucky to be excluded from the Indian ODI squad

Most felt that Kuldeep was unlucky to not be picked for the Test series against New Zealand, especially after a very good Duleep Trophy and then when he did not find a spot in the squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand, there was further surprise among the supporters.

The Kanpur-born spinner, who has impressed one and all in both domestic cricket and in the IPL while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders, will hope to find a berth in the squad for the final two ODIs and perhaps even get a maiden opportunity to play for India.