India announce ODI squad for New Zealand series; Pant, Iyer in, Shami misses out again

India will begin their 2026 international calendar with a white-ball assignment against New Zealand, with the BCCI announcing the squad for the three-match ODI series on Friday (January 3). The series will be played from January 11, followed by a five-match T20I series later in the month.

Shubman Gill has been named captain for the ODI series, marking his return to leadership duties after missing the South Africa ODIs due to injury. In his absence, KL Rahul had led the side to a 2–1 series victory. Gill now resumes charge, with senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continuing in the 50-over setup.

Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer have been recalled to the ODI squad. Iyer, however, will feature only subject to clearance from the BCCI medical team, having been sidelined since sustaining an injury during the Australia tour. He has been named vice-captain.

While Siraj’s return strengthens the pace attack, experienced seamer Mohammed Shami has once again missed out. Shami was last seen in India colours during the ICC Champions Trophy, where India defeated New Zealand in the final to lift the title. Despite strong performances in domestic cricket, Devdutt Padikkal and Ishan Kishan have not been included in the squad.

Rishabh Pant has retained his place as a wicketkeeping option alongside KL Rahul. The bowling unit features Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna in pace, with Kuldeep Yadav leading the spin department, supported by Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal have also been named.

The ODI series will be played in Vadodara, Rajkot and Indore, before the teams shift focus to the T20I leg starting January 21.

India ODI squad vs 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
*Subject to fitness clearance

India vs New Zealand schedule:
January 11 – 1st ODI, Vadodara
January 14 – 2nd ODI, Rajkot
January 18 – 3rd ODI, Indore

January 21 – 1st T20I, Nagpur
January 23 – 2nd T20I, Raipur
January 25 – 3rd T20I, Guwahati
January 28 – 4th T20I, Visakhapatnam
January 31 – 5th T20I, Thiruvananthapuram