The national selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, convened in Mumbai on January 3, 2026, to finalize the Indian squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The meeting has drawn significant attention, with the potential recall of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami being a central talking point.
Shami's Case for a National Comeback
The spotlight is firmly on the selection of fast bowler Mohammed Shami. Despite being sidelined from the national team since the ICC Champions Trophy in March of last year, Shami has been in phenomenal form in the domestic circuit. Representing Bengal, the seasoned bowler has scalped close to 45 wickets in the ongoing season, making a compelling argument for his reinstatement.
India's pace attack is set to miss the services of Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Hardik Pandya for the ODI leg, as the team management looks to manage their workload ahead of the T20 World Cup and the subsequent T20I series. This scenario amplifies the need for an experienced campaigner like Shami to lead the bowling unit and guide younger talents.
Schedule and Squad Dynamics
The ODI series against the Black Caps will be played across three venues. The action begins with the first ODI in Vadodara on January 11, followed by matches in Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January 18. All day games are scheduled to start at 1:30 PM IST.
Following the 50-over contests, the teams will engage in a five-match T20 International series. The T20I squad, already announced, will be led by Suryakumar Yadav. A key question surrounding the ODI selection was the potential recall of wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who has been on a long road to recovery.
Complete India vs New Zealand 2026 Schedule
ODI Series:
- Jan 11: 1st ODI, Vadodara (BCA Stadium, Kotambi), 1:30 PM IST
- Jan 14: 2nd ODI, Rajkot (Niranjan Shah Stadium, Khandheri), 1:30 PM IST
- Jan 18: 3rd ODI, Indore (Holkar Cricket Stadium), 1:30 PM IST
T20I Series:
- Jan 21: 1st T20I, Nagpur (VCA Stadium), 7:00 PM IST
- Jan 23: 2nd T20I, Raipur (SVNS International Stadium), 7:00 PM IST
- Jan 25: 3rd T20I, Guwahati (Barsapara Stadium), 7:00 PM IST
- Jan 28: 4th T20I, Visakhapatnam (ACA-VDCA Stadium), 7:00 PM IST
- Jan 31: 5th T20I, Thiruvananthapuram (Greenfield Stadium), 7:00 PM IST
The selectors' decisions will set the tone for India's preparations in the ODI format, balancing experience with fresh talent as they build towards future global tournaments.
