India have officially announced their squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand, with the return of three notable players and a few surprise omissions.
Shubman Gill will once again lead the team as captain, while Shreyas Iyer has been named vice-captain, subject to final fitness clearance. The ODI series is scheduled to begin on January 11.
Major Changes in the Squad
The 15-member squad sees Hardik Pandya rested, with fast bowler Mohammed Siraj recalled to the side. Siraj last featured in an ODI during India’s tour of Australia.
Gill, Iyer, and Siraj have been brought back into the squad in place of Tilak Varma, Dhruv Jurel, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, reflecting a shift in selection strategy ahead of major international tournaments.
Leadership and Team Balance
Shubman Gill will shoulder the leadership responsibilities, while Iyer’s role as deputy captain depends on his fitness assessment. The selectors have opted for a balanced mix of experience and youth, keeping an eye on workload management and upcoming ICC events.
India’s ODI Squad vs New Zealand
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Shubman Gill (Captain)
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Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain – fitness dependent)
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Rohit Sharma
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Virat Kohli
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KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
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Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
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Washington Sundar
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Ravindra Jadeja
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Mohammed Siraj
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Harshit Rana
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Prasidh Krishna
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Kuldeep Yadav
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Nitish Kumar Reddy
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Arshdeep Singh
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Yashasvi Jaiswal
The ODI series against New Zealand will serve as an important opportunity for India to test combinations and regain momentum as the international calendar intensifies in 2026.
