New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India is set to announce the Indian squad for the upcoming three match ODI series against New Zealand on January 3. The home series will begin on January 11 and will be played across three venues, with the opening match in Vadodara, followed by games in Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January 18.
India return to the 50 over format after their last ODI outing in early December 2025 against South Africa, where the team secured a series victory by winning two of the three matches. That series was led by KL Rahul, but leadership duties will change hands for the New Zealand contest, with Shubman Gill set to captain the side.
Gill was appointed India’s ODI captain in October 2025 but was forced to miss the South Africa series after suffering a neck injury during the opening Test of that tour in Kolkata. The batter has since recovered and made his return to international action in the T20I series against South Africa last month. His availability clears the way for his comeback to the ODI setup as both captain and key top order batter.
The selection committee is expected to use the New Zealand series to manage player workload, with senior all rounder Hardik Pandya and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah likely to be rested. Both players have had a packed schedule in the shortest format and are also part of India’s plans for upcoming T20Is and the T20 World Cup in 2026.
Shreyas Iyer, who serves as vice captain in the ODI format, remains sidelined due to an injury sustained while fielding during a match against Australia in October. Although his return was initially expected for the New Zealand series, his rehabilitation has been extended, and he will continue recovery work at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
With a new captain at the helm and several key players either returning or being rested, the ODI series against New Zealand is expected to provide clarity on India’s combinations as the team builds toward major international assignments later in the year.
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