Vadodara, Jan. 11 -- Team India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl first against the Michael Bracewell-led New Zealand in the first match of the three-match ODI series, starting on Sunday at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara.

The Men in Blue copped a major blow on the eve of the ODI series opener as the star wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the three-match series owing to a side strain (oblique muscle tear). According to a release from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Pant sustained the injury while batting during a net session at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Saturday.

Dhruv Jurel replaced Pant in the Indian squad for the New Zealand series. However, he didn't make it into the Ind...