India is set to take on New Zealand in a thrilling three-match ODI series at home, beginning January 11, 2026. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced some exciting updates to the squad, with Shubman Gill returning as the captain, and Shreyas Iyer, subject to fitness clearance, as the vice-captain. Alongside them, Mohammed Siraj returns to the squad, while Hardik Pandya will be resting ahead of the T20 World Cup in February.
Shubman Gill’s Return as Captain and Shreyas Iyer’s Comeback
After missing the South Africa ODI series due to a neck spasm, Shubman Gill is back to lead the Indian team. His return to the captaincy marks an important moment, as India gears up for a tough series against New Zealand. Gill’s absence from the South Africa series was a blow, but his recovery and subsequent return during the T20I matches against South Africa have reignited hopes for a strong leadership performance in ODIs.
Shreyas Iyer, who has been sidelined since October 2025 due to a spleen injury suffered during India’s tour of Australia, also makes his comeback. Iyer is currently undergoing fitness checks, but the BCCI has confirmed that he is in line to be the vice-captain, pending clearance. Iyer has not played competitive cricket since his injury, but his recent successful practice sessions show that he’s nearing full fitness.
Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya’s Workload Management
Another key update comes with the return of Mohammed Siraj to the ODI squad. Siraj was last seen in ODIs during the Australian tour but has since played for Hyderabad in domestic cricket. His return strengthens India’s seam attack alongside the likes of Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya is being rested for this series as part of BCCI’s strategy to manage his workload ahead of the T20 World Cup, set to begin on February 7. Hardik has not yet been cleared by the Centre of Excellence to bowl a full quota of 10 overs in a match, which is likely why he has been excluded from the squad for now.
India’s Full Squad for the ODI Series Against New Zealand
The Indian squad for the three-match series against New Zealand is packed with experience and talent, with stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul leading the batting lineup. Notable additions include rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal and experienced all-rounders Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The bowling attack is headed by Kuldeep Yadav, who will provide wrist-spin, while the fast-bowling contingent is bolstered by Siraj, Krishna, and Arshdeep.
India’s ODI Squad:
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
- Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain, subject to fitness clearance)
- Washington Sundar
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Mohammed Siraj
- Harshit Rana
- Prasidh Krishna
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
The three-match series will kick off in Vadodara on January 11, followed by the second ODI in Rajkot on January 14, and the series finale will be held in Indore on January 18.
India’s squad for the T20I series that follows, as well as the T20 World Cup squad, was announced in December 2025, creating further anticipation for a high-octane cricketing month.
This return to action is crucial not only for individual players like Gill, Iyer, and Siraj but also for India’s preparations for the T20 World Cup. Fans can expect an exciting series ahead, as the team looks to fine-tune its lineup before the global tournament begins.
