(Mumbai): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming 3-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11, 2026.
In a bold move signaling the “Next Gen” transition, Shubman Gill has been named Captain for the series, while senior pros like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been included in the squad to provide experience. However, the biggest headline is the exclusion of Ruturaj Gaikwad, which has already triggered a massive storm on social media.
Top Highlights of the Squad
- Captain Gill Era: At just 26, Shubman Gill takes the armband, cementing his position as India’s future all-format leader.
- Pant & Siraj Return: After missing the South Africa leg due to workload management, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and pacer Mohammed Siraj are back in the mix.
- The Ruturaj Snub: Despite scoring heavily in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been overlooked to accommodate Tilak Varma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, leaving fans furious.
- Vice-Captain: Shreyas Iyer returns as the Vice-Captain.
India’s 15-Member ODI Squad (Official)
- Batters: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul.
- Wicket-Keepers: Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson.
- All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar.
- Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
- (Note: Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the Test series preparation).
Series Schedule (Save the Dates)
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
| 1st ODI | Jan 11 (Sun) | BCA Stadium, Vadodara | 1:30 PM |
| 2nd ODI | Jan 14 (Wed) | Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot | 1:30 PM |
| 3rd ODI | Jan 18 (Sun) | Holkar Stadium, Indore | 1:30 PM |
Social Media Reaction: #JusticeForRuturaj Trends
Within minutes of the announcement, #JusticeForRuturaj began trending at #1 on X (formerly Twitter). Fans are questioning why a consistent domestic performer was dropped while seniors continue to hold spots.
- One user wrote: “Ruturaj scores 100s for fun in domestic cricket, yet gets dropped. Is the BCCI blind?”
FAQs
A: Shubman Gill has been named the captain for this ODI series.
A: Yes, Rohit Sharma is in the squad but will play purely as a batter under Gill’s captaincy.
A: Live telecast will be on Star Sports Network, and streaming will be available on JioCinema.
Disclaimer: The squad details and schedule mentioned in this article are based on the latest BCCI announcements as of January 3, 2026. Player availability is subject to fitness and last-minute changes by the board. Please verify official match timings on the broadcaster’s schedule.
