Key Points
- Shubman Gill appointed ODI captain for New Zealand series, his second stint as full-time skipper
- Shreyas Iyer returns as vice-captain, pending fitness clearance from Centre of Excellence after back injury
- Mohammed Siraj back in squad after missing South Africa ODIs due to minor niggle
- Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma included, bringing 558 matches of combined ODI experience
- Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya rested for workload management ahead of T20 World Cup
- Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul selected as wicketkeepers, Sanju Samson omitted despite recent form
- Mohammed Shami fails to secure place despite being declared fit after ankle surgery
- Tilak Varma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Dhruv Jurel dropped from the squad
- Three ODIs scheduled between January 11-18 in Vadodara, Rajkot, and Indore
- Five-match T20 series to follow from January 21-31, with separate squad to be announced later
The Indian team for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand has been announced. Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have returned to the team for this series. However, the BCCI has clarified that Iyer’s participation in the series will depend on him receiving fitness clearance from the Centre of Excellence (CoE). This conditional selection adds an element of uncertainty to the vice-captain’s role, as Iyer has been recovering from a recurring back injury that kept him out of the South Africa tour.
Gill’s appointment as captain comes after his successful stint leading the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma during the Sri Lanka series last year. The 25-year-old opener has shown remarkable leadership qualities and will be keen to prove his tactical acumen against a competitive New Zealand side. His own form with the bat will be crucial, as he averages 62.3 in ODIs since 2023.
Mohammed Siraj Returns After Rest
Mohammed Siraj has also returned to the team. Siraj was not included in the ODI series against South Africa, where the team management decided to rest him after a grueling Test series. The right-arm pacer has been India’s most consistent bowler in white-ball cricket over the past two years, taking 47 wickets in his last 25 ODIs at an economy rate of 4.8.
His return strengthens a pace attack that will be without Jasprit Bumrah, who has been given a much-needed break. Siraj’s ability to swing the ball both ways and his effectiveness in the death overs make him a vital cog in India’s bowling plans. He will be joined by Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana, forming a youthful but potent fast-bowling unit.
Experience Returns as Kohli and Rohit Back
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have also been included in this team. The team will benefit from the experience of both players, who have a combined total of 558 ODI matches and 25,487 runs between them. Their return after being rested for the South Africa ODIs provides stability to a top order that looked vulnerable in their absence.
Kohli, who recently became the first player to score 50 ODI centuries, will be looking to continue his rich vein of form. Rohit, despite struggling with consistency in recent times, brings invaluable experience and tactical inputs as a senior member. Their presence will be particularly important in guiding the younger batsmen in pressure situations.
Bumrah and Pandya Rested for T20 World Cup
Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah rested. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya have been rested. They have not been included in the team to keep them fit for the T20 World Cup. Both players have been given rest keeping workload management in mind. Bumrah, who has had a history of back injuries, has bowled over 1,200 deliveries across formats since his comeback last year.
Pandya’s case is more complex, as he is being groomed as a specialist all-rounder for the T20 World Cup. The team management wants to preserve his bowling workload, and he will only be used as a pure batter in the ODI series if required. This conservative approach, while frustrating for fans, is designed to ensure both players peak during the global tournament in June.
Wicketkeeping Conundrum: Pant and Rahul In, Samson Out
Pant and KL Rahul selected as wicketkeepers. Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul have been selected as wicketkeeper-batsmen for the ODI series against New Zealand, but Sanju Samson has failed to make a place in the team. This decision has raised eyebrows, as Samson scored a magnificent 108 not out in his last ODI appearance against South Africa and has been in sublime form across formats.
Pant’s selection is based on his X-factor and match-winning abilities, despite his inconsistent performances since his comeback from the car accident. Rahul, on the other hand, provides stability and can bat anywhere in the top six. His experience and technical soundness against pace and spin make him a reliable option, especially in home conditions.
Shami’s Continued Absence Raises Questions
Apart from these, fast bowler Mohammed Shami has once again failed to secure a place in the team. The 34-year-old pacer, who underwent ankle surgery after the ODI World Cup, has been declared fit by the NCA but the selectors are taking a cautious approach. Shami’s experience would have been invaluable, especially with Bumrah being rested.
However, the team management is looking at the long-term picture, wanting Shami to be fully match-fit before throwing him into international cricket. He is expected to play in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal later this month to prove his fitness and form. If he performs well, a recall for the England series looks likely.
Young Guns Dropped as Experience Preferred
Following the return of these three players, Tilak Varma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Dhruv Jurel have been dropped from the team. Tilak Varma, who showed promise in the middle order, paid the price for his inability to convert starts into big scores. Ruturaj Gaikwad, despite being a consistent performer in domestic cricket, struggled at the international level, averaging just 28.4 in his last 10 ODIs.
Dhruv Jurel’s omission is more surprising, given his impressive wicketkeeping skills and gritty batting in the South Africa Tests. However, with Pant and Rahul ahead in the pecking order, the young Rajasthan Royals player will have to wait for his opportunity in the shorter formats.
India’s ODI Squad Against New Zealand
India’s ODI squad against New Zealand: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The squad includes two specialist spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, with Washington Sundar providing the off-spin option. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s inclusion as an all-rounder is a reward for his consistent performances in domestic cricket and the IPL. Yashasvi Jaiswal retains his place as the backup opener, despite a lean patch in ODIs.
India vs New Zealand ODI Match Schedule
The three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand will be played between January 11 and 18. The first match will be played in Vadodara, followed by the second match in Rajkot on January 14. The final match of the series will be played in Indore on January 18. Following this, the two countries will play a five-match T20 series between January 21 and 31.
The Vadodara match at the Reliance Stadium will be India’s first international game at the venue since 2017. Rajkot’s Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, known for its batting-friendly surface, will host the second ODI. The series concludes at Indore’s Holkar Stadium, where India has an unbeaten record in ODIs. The T20 series will feature a completely different squad, with the selection committee set to announce a younger team focused on T20 World Cup preparation.
