India, Nov. 4 -- India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl first against New Zealand in the opening ODI at Eden Park, Auckland. The toss was delayed by around 10 minutes due to rain, but the weather eventually cleared enough for the match to get underway. Although some cloud cover and windy conditions remained, the threat of heavy rain had eased, allowing both teams to begin the series without any further significant delay.

Gill explained that the overcast conditions influenced India's decision to field first, adding that having a target to chase could prove beneficial if rain leads to a reduction in overs. He also highlighted the importance of the series as part of India's preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, point...