New Zealand has witnessed two defining milestones in Shubman Gill's early career. After an India U-19 World Cup title and ODI debut, he hits these shores as leader of men. Seven years after being handed the cap by MS Dhoni, he returns as India's captain, carrying the expectations of a billion fans and the responsibility of building a team for the 2027 World Cup.

India's fielding will face an early test at Auckland's Eden Park, where unfamiliar dimensions and tricky angles demand quick adaptation. With 27 catches dropped in their last 18 ODIs, the focus is on sharpening ground fielding and improving catching efficiency ahead of the New Zealand series.