India’s squad for ODI series against New Zealand announced

India’s squad for ODI series against New Zealand announced.

MEDIA ADVISORY

January 3, 2026

India’s squad for ODI series against New Zealand announced.

The Senior Men’s Selection Committee has picked India’s squad for the upcoming IDFC First Bank three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting 11th January at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara.

India’s ODI squad:

India’s Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal

Note: *Shreyas Iyer’s availability is subject to fitness clearance from BCCI COE.

Hardik Pandya has not been cleared by the BCCI CoE to bowl 10 overs in a match, and considering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to follow, his workload is being managed.

New Zealand’s Tour of India, 2026 (ODI Series)

Sr. No.

Day

date

matches

Venue

1

sunday

11th January

1st ODI

Vadodara

2

wednesday

14th January

2nd ODI

Rajkot

3

sunday

18th January

3rd ODI

Indore

Shreyas Iyer will make his return to India’s ODI squad as the team’s vice-captain for the three-game series against New Zealand. His selection though is subject to receiving a fitness clearance from the BCCI Center of Excellence following a spleen injury suffered while fielding during a match against Australia in Sydney last October.

India squad:Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer (vc)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal

*Subject to fitness clearance

Shubman Gill himself will return to lead the team after missing the ODI series against South Africa last month due to a neck injury picked up during the Kolkata Test. The return of the two senior batsmen has meant that Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma have had to make way, this despite both scoring a century each in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Rishabh Pant holds on to his spot in the squad as the second keeper behind KL Rahul with Dhruv Jurel now left out.

The most significant absentee is Hardik Pandya, who has not been deemed fit to bowl his full quota of 10 overs by the CoE. With the T20 World Cup starting next month, the selectors have chosen to manage his workload carefully, ruling him out of this series.

The pace attack sees a return for Mohammed Siraj with Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana joining him. The spin department will be led by Kuldeep Yadav along with all-rounders Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, the latter holding on to his place after losing to Axar Patel in Australia.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who recently featured for their domestic sides in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, will continue to feature in the only international format they are still active in with Yashasvi Jaiswal providing cover for the top-order. Nitish Kumar Reddy has also been included in the 15-member squad.

Why is Hardik Pandya not part of the team? BCCI clarifies

Hardik Pandya has not received approval from the BCCI’s Center of Excellence to bowl a full 10-over spell in an ODI match.

With the T20 World Cup approach, the team management and selectors have decided to carefully manage his workload to avoid any risk of injury.

Pandya has been returning from fitness concerns, and the focus remains on ensuring he is fully fit for major competitions.

As a consequence, he has been kept out of the ODI plans for now, allowing the team to prioritize his long-term availability and peak performance in the T20 format rather than pushing him too hard in bilateral series.

Overview of IND vs NZ 2026 ODI squad

India have announced their squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning on January 11 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.

Shubman Gil will lead the side, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continuing to feature in the ODI setup, while Shreyas Iyer has been named vice-captain, subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI Center of Excellence.

The squad also includes KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as wicketkeeping choices, along with allrounders Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy.

The pace attack will be led by Mohammad Siraj, supported by Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna, while Kuldeep Yadav handles spin duties.

Hardik Pandya has been left out as his workflow is being managed ahead of the T20 World Cup.

The series will also feature matches in Rajkot on Jan 14 and Indore on Jan 18.

India’s squad for ODI series against New Zealand announced

Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal

Shreyas Iyer’s return to the Indian team depends on final fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Center of Excellence.

Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya has not been clear to bowl a full 10-over spell, prompting the team management to carefully manage his workload. With the T20 World Cup approaching, selectors are prioritizing player fitness and long-term readiness.

Is there still hope for Mohammed Shami?

Indiaare likely to rest Hardik Pandya and Jaspreet Bumrah for the New Zealand series to manage workload, opening the door for Mohammed Shami’s return.

The 35-year-old veteran pacer was India’s leading bowler in the last two ODI World Cups and has reclaimed form after recovering from ankle and knee injuries.

Shami has impressed in domestic cricket with strong performances in Ranji Trophy, SMAT and Vht. Although selectors earlier had fitness concerns, talks with the pacer suggest improved relations.

Devdutt Padikkal’s name may also be discussed after a strong Vijay Hazare Trophy, but stiff competition at the top could delay his return.

Shubman Gill returns to the India ODI setup as the captain, whereas veterans Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja will feature once again in the limited overs format as India take on New Zealand in a three-match ODI series.

The big news is that Shreyas Iyer is also back in the squad, but his availability is subjected to fitness clearance from BCCI COE.

On the other hand, Hardik Pandya has not been cleared by the BCCI CoE to bowl 10 overs in a match and considering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to follow, his workload is being managed.

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