New Delhi, Dec 28: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to unveil India’s One-Day International squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand in the first week of January, with a few notable changes on the cards following the tour of South Africa.
The series will begin on January 11 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara and is likely to serve as an important checkpoint in India’s white-ball planning.
At the heart of the reshuffle is the return of India’s ODI captain and vice-captain, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, both of whom missed the South Africa series for different reasons. Gill had been sidelined with a toe injury but has since made a steady recovery. The opener has resumed batting and is set to feature in two matches for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26, a clear indication that he is back to full fitness and ready to lead the side again.
Shreyas Iyer’s situation, however, remains slightly less certain. The middle-order batter is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. While a final call is yet to be taken on his availability for the New Zealand ODIs, those close to the developments suggest that he is progressing well and is firmly in contention for a comeback.
Their return, though, is expected to come at a cost for a couple of squad members. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who served as the third choice behind KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant in South Africa, is likely to make way. Tilak Varma, who was included as a backup option for Ruturaj Gaikwad in the previous series, is also expected to miss out as the squad settles back into a more settled combination.
Despite strong domestic performances, there appears to be no immediate room for Ishan Kishan or Devdutt Padikkal. Kishan, who recently earned a recall to India’s T20I setup, has been in prolific form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and recently registered the second-fastest List A century by an Indian. However, his return to the ODI side may have to wait a little longer. Padikkal’s case is equally unfortunate. The left-hander boasts a staggering List A average of 83.64 and has struck consecutive centuries in the ongoing tournament, yet a maiden ODI call-up continues to elude him due to the crowded nature of India’s top-order options.
The selectors are also expected to persist with their cautious approach regarding workload management. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are set to be rested once again, as the BCCI continues to prioritise the long-term fitness of its key players with an eye on the 2026 T20 World Cup. Both have already missed India’s last two ODI series, and the trend is likely to continue in the New Zealand assignment.
Axar Patel is another name unlikely to feature. The all-rounder did not play in South Africa, with the BCCI offering no clarity on whether his absence was due to rest or selection reasons. Current indications suggest that Axar may again be left out, not necessarily because of form, but owing to the management’s desire to give Ravindra Jadeja an extended run.
For Jadeja, the New Zealand series could prove significant. The seasoned all-rounder has struggled to make a consistent impact in the ODI format of late. He was omitted during the tour of Australia and failed to impress with the ball against South Africa. With competition intensifying and age no longer on his side, the upcoming series may well represent a final opportunity for Jadeja to cement his place in India’s ODI plans.
As India prepare to host New Zealand, the selection decisions underline a familiar balancing act—rewarding form, managing fitness, and planning for the future, all while trying to keep the present competitive. The squad announcement, when it comes, is expected to offer further clarity on the direction the team management intends to take in the 50-over format. (Agencies)
