National selectors will finally meet on January 4 to reveal the IND vs NZ ODI squad.
Reports suggest Shubman Gill gets back the captaincy after being dropped from T20 duties. India plays three ODI matches starting January 11 against the Kiwis at home venues.
Gill’s Leadership Gets Another Opportunity
Shubman Gill captained India before in 50-over cricket but due to injury and selectors dropped him recently. Missing the T20 World Cup squad hurt him personally after struggling with form. Now the board gives him a fresh start by leading the ODI side again.
This move signals India’s faith in his abilities despite the recent setbacks he faced earlier. Gill represents India’s future leadership plans beyond just this one series ahead.
The IND vs NZ ODI squad selection shows selectors thinking long-term about captaincy options. He brings youth and aggression, which could change how India approaches ODI cricket. Baroda, Rajkot and Indore host the three matches by giving him home advantage.
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Key Players Resting for T20 World Cup
Jasprit Bumrah won’t play in the IND vs NZ ODI squad despite being fully fit. He bowled non-stop during the recent cricket season, touring between countries always back-to-back. The board wants him to be good when the T20 World Cup begins next year.
Hardik Pandya also sits out, even though fans want to see him play. He hasn’t felt 50-over cricket since March, which feels like ages ago. Doctors put him on a good rehabilitation program, fixing minor fitness issues slowly.
The team thinks resting him now means getting a fully-charged Pandya for T20s. Both stars skipping isn’t about injuries but protecting them for bigger tournaments coming.
The IND vs NZ ODI squad makes space for younger bowlers and all-rounders instead. India learned the hard way that overworking key players backfires during important events.
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Kohli and Rohit Return After Domestic Cricket
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played Vijay Hazare Trophy matches keeping themselves sharp recently. Their presence in the IND vs NZ ODI squad adds the experience the youngsters need.
Yashasvi Jaiswal fought illness but recovered well and could make the cut.
Shreyas Iyer trains hard by proving his body can handle the workload again. Shubman Gill’s captaincy combines youth with the wisdom these seniors bring along.
India’s Probable Team for the NZ ODI Series 2026:
Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana
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