Indian selectors have announced Shubman Gill as the captain of the national team for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, set to begin later this month. The decision was confirmed on Saturday, with Shreyas Iyer included in the squad pending fitness clearance.
The 15-man squad features a balanced mix of experience and youth, blending seasoned performers with promising young talent. Mohammed Siraj makes a return to the ODI side, while Hardik Pandya has been rested to manage workload ahead of a busy international schedule. The inclusion of vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, subject to fitness, reflects the team’s cautious approach in handling player injuries and maintaining peak performance across formats.
The ODI series will kick off on January 11 in Vadodara, followed by the second match in Rajkot on January 14, and the final game in Indore on January 18. Following the ODIs, India will face New Zealand in a five-match T20I series, continuing the team’s packed schedule in early 2026.
The India squad for the ODIs is as follows: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Selectors emphasized that the squad has been carefully chosen to maintain team balance, ensuring depth in batting, bowling, and fielding. With Gill leading the side, India aims to start the year on a strong note, building momentum for both the ODI and T20I formats ahead of upcoming international fixtures. Fans eagerly await the series, anticipating competitive cricket between two of the world’s leading teams.