Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill are set to make high-profile returns as India announced a strong 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International series against New Zealand. Gill will lead the side, while Iyer has been named vice-captain, although his participation will depend on receiving final medical clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Iyer has been sidelined since October after suffering a spleen injury while fielding during a match against Australia in Sydney. His comeback brings much-needed experience to India’s middle order at a time when the team is refining its core ahead of major global events. The team management remains optimistic about his recovery and expects him to be available once medical formalities are completed.
India squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer (vc)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal
*Subject to fitness clearance
Gill’s return is equally significant. The young opener missed the recent ODI series against South Africa due to a neck injury sustained during the Kolkata Test, but he is now fit and ready to resume leadership duties. His presence at the top of the order restores balance and consistency, both with the bat and in captaincy.
Veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue to remain central to India’s ODI plans. With both players recently appearing in domestic 50-over cricket during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, their inclusion underlines the importance of experience in India’s only remaining international format for the two stars. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been retained as top-order cover, offering youthful energy and flexibility.
The return of Gill and Iyer has led to the omission of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma, despite both players scoring centuries in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel has also been left out, with KL Rahul continuing as India’s first-choice keeper and Rishabh Pant named as the backup.
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The most notable absentee from the squad is Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder has not yet been cleared to bowl his full quota of ten overs by the BCCI’s medical team. With the T20 World Cup just weeks away, selectors have chosen to manage his workload carefully, ruling him out of the New Zealand series to avoid any long-term risk.
India’s bowling attack appears well balanced, with Mohammed Siraj making a return to lead the pace unit. He will be supported by Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana, giving the team a mix of pace, swing and aggression. In the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav will spearhead the attack, while Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja provide depth and all-round options. Jadeja has held on to his place despite losing his spot to Axar Patel in the Australia series, showing the selectors’ continued faith in his experience.
Nitish Kumar Reddy also finds a place in the squad, adding another all-round option as India look to maintain flexibility in both batting and bowling combinations.
The squad announcement reflects India’s intent to strike a balance between youth and experience while keeping a close eye on fitness and workload management. The return of key players strengthens the team’s core, while the absence of a few rising stars highlights the competition for places in an increasingly settled ODI setup.
With leadership stability, a powerful batting lineup and a versatile bowling attack, India head into the New Zealand series well prepared to face a strong opponent and fine-tune their combinations ahead of upcoming global challenges.