India has made three changes in the squad that is playing New Zealand in the sixth match of the TVS Cup tri-series at Cuttack.

With Virender Sehwag missing the game due to an ankle injury, V V S Laxman has been forced to open the innings.

India is playing with five regular bowlers and six batsmen.

Hemang Badani has replaced Parthiv Patel while Sairaj Bahutule and left-arm spinner Murali Kartik made the final eleven.

Stand-in skipper Rahul Dravid will keep wickets in this crucial game for both sides. A win for India will almost guarantee a place in the final against Australia on November 18.

If the Kiwis win this game, then they will be back in contention for the final.

India won the toss and elected to bat on a belter of a wicket.

Team: V V S Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Kaif, Rahul Dravid (c & wk), Yuvraj Singh, Hemang Badani, Ajit Agarkar, Murali Kartik, Sairaj Bahutule, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan