The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled a revised squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International series against New Zealand, set to commence on January 12. The announcement, made on January 9, 2026, features significant changes, with three prominent players from the recent series against South Africa being omitted.
Key Players Left Out of the Squad
The most notable exclusions from the India ODI squad are star opener Shubman Gill and premier fast bowler Mohammed Siraj. Alongside them, all-rounder Avesh Khan has also been left out of the contingent for the New Zealand tour. This decision by the national selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, indicates a strategic shift, possibly to manage player workload or to test bench strength ahead of future commitments.
Shubman Gill's absence is particularly surprising given his established role at the top of the order. Similarly, Mohammed Siraj has been a consistent performer in the ODI setup, making his exclusion a major talking point among fans and analysts. The team management has not provided specific reasons for these omissions, leaving room for speculation about rest and rotation policies.
New Faces and Returning Stars
Filling the voids left by the outgoing trio are three players who have been recalled to the national side. The selectors have brought in talented batter Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is expected to bolster the top order. To strengthen the pace bowling department, the experienced Mohammed Shami makes a comeback. Completing the list of inclusions is left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who adds variety to the bowling attack.
The return of Mohammed Shami brings a wealth of experience and wicket-taking ability, especially in overseas conditions. Ruturaj Gaikwad's consistent domestic and IPL performances have finally earned him another opportunity in the blue jersey. Arshdeep Singh's death-bowling skills provide the captain with a crucial option in the middle and final overs.
Complete Squad and Series Schedule
The full India ODI squad for the New Zealand series is as follows: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh.
The three-match ODI series against New Zealand is scheduled to be played on January 12, January 14, and January 16, 2026. The venues for these matches are yet to be officially confirmed by New Zealand Cricket. This series forms a critical part of India's preparation cycle as the team builds towards upcoming multi-nation tournaments.
The revised squad suggests the think tank is keen on evaluating combinations and providing opportunities to players on the fringe. With the core of experienced players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah retained, the team aims to maintain a balance between stability and experimentation. All eyes will now be on how the new-look side performs in the challenging conditions of New Zealand.
