BCCI Announces ODI Squad For New Zealand Series, Shreyas Returns as Vice-Captain. BCCI has announced India’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The three-match series will begin on January 11 and is part of India’s white-ball preparations. Shubman Gill makes his return as captain of the ODI side. Shreyas Iyer has also returned and has been named vice-captain.
However, his availability is subject to final fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence. The team management will take a call closer to the series opener. One of the biggest talking points is the absence of Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Gaikwad did not find a spot
Gaikwad has not found a place despite strong domestic and List A performances. In List A cricket, he has scored 4,904 runs at an average of 57.69. His last ODI innings for India was a brilliant 105 off 83 balls. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he recently scored 124 off 112 and 66 off 52. Many fans and experts feel unlucky for him after another snub.
Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has made a comeback to the ODI squad. Siraj last featured on the Australia tour in October. He was then left out of the home series against South Africa. Siraj remains a proven match-winner in big tournaments. He was among the top wicket-takers in the 2023 World Cup. He also finished as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Hardik Pandya has been rested. He has not received clearance to bowl ten overs in a match. With the T20 World Cup approaching, his workload is being carefully managed. Jasprit Bumrah has also been rested. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant returns as the second-choice keeper. KL Rahul continues as the first-choice wicketkeeper. Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami will have to wait longer for an ODI comeback.
India’s squad reflects rotation, fitness management, and future planning. The New Zealand series will be a key test before bigger challenges ahead.
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain, subject to fitness), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh.