Stokes, the hero of the 2019 final, missed his side's warm-up win over Bangladesh in Guwahati after experiencing soreness in his left hip, and England have opted not to gamble with his fitness for the curtain-raiser in Ahmedabad.
Harry Brook, a late addition to the squad in place of the axed Jason Roy, came into the XI in Stokes's place.
England named six survivors from their triumph at Lord's four years ago: Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood. Seamer Reece Topley missed out in favour of all-rounders Sam Curran and Moeen Ali.
The Black Caps were without captain Kane Williamson, still recovering from a ruptured ACL, but stand-in Tom Latham won the toss and opted to bowl first.
TEAMS
England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (captain), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (captain), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult
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