India have officially announced their squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, bringing back several key players while leaving out a few notable names. The selection reflects a balance between experience and future planning as India continue preparations ahead of major international tournaments.
Shreyas Iyer has made his return to the ODI setup, although his participation remains subject to final fitness clearance. Rishabh Pant has been retained as the backup wicketkeeper, while Mohammed Siraj earns a recall to strengthen the pace attack. However, senior pacer Mohammed Shami and opener Ruturaj Gaikwad miss out on selection.
Key Takeaways from India’s ODI Squad Announcement
- Shreyas Iyer included: The middle-order batter returns after recovering from injury, with fitness clearance pending.
- Rishabh Pant retained: Pant continues as the secondary wicketkeeping option alongside KL Rahul.
- Mohammed Siraj recalled: Siraj’s return adds pace depth and experience to India’s bowling unit.
- Shami and Gaikwad miss out: Mohammed Shami is rested, while Ruturaj Gaikwad has been left out of the ODI plans.
India ODI Squad vs New Zealand
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Shubman Gill (C) | Batter |
| Rohit Sharma | Batter |
| Virat Kohli | Batter |
| KL Rahul (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Shreyas Iyer (VC)* | Batter |
| Washington Sundar | All-rounder |
| Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder |
| Mohammed Siraj | Bowler |
| Harshit Rana | Bowler |
| Prasidh Krishna | Bowler |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Bowler |
| Rishabh Pant (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | All-rounder |
| Arshdeep Singh | Bowler |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter |
*Shreyas Iyer’s selection is subject to fitness clearance.
India vs New Zealand ODI Series Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | January 15 | Hyderabad |
| 2nd ODI | January 18 | Indore |
| 3rd ODI | January 21 | Pune |
What This Series Means for India
The New Zealand series offers India an opportunity to fine-tune their ODI combinations, particularly in the middle order and pace department. With senior players returning and young talents getting extended runs, the series is expected to play a key role in shaping India’s plans for upcoming global events.
New Zealand remain a strong ODI side, and the three-match contest promises competitive cricket across all venues.
Final Word
India’s ODI squad selection reflects a blend of experience, form, and future focus. With Shreyas Iyer’s potential return, Mohammed Siraj’s recall, and strong leadership from Shubman Gill, the series against New Zealand sets the stage for an exciting start to India’s ODI calendar.
