The BCCI has officially announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. Big changes are here—Shubman Gill takes the armband, while a key senior pacer gets a break.
Key Highlights
- Captaincy: Shubman Gill named ODI Captain for the 3-match series.
- The Comeback: Rishabh Pant returns to the ODI setup after 8 months.
- Missing Star: Jasprit Bumrah rested to manage workload ahead of the Champions Trophy.
- New Face: 21-year-old pacer Mayank Yadav gets his maiden ODI call-up.
Gill’s ‘Young India’ Ready for Kiwis
MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dropped a Sunday night surprise for cricket fans. The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has announced a fresh-looking squad for the home ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11, 2026.
With Rohit Sharma transitioning out of the format, the baton has officially passed. Shubman Gill, who impressed as vice-captain last year, will lead the “Men in Blue” for the first time in a full bilateral series.
“Pant is Back” The biggest cheer on social media is for Rishabh Pant. After a mixed bag of injuries in late 2025, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter has passed his fitness tests at the NCA and walks straight into the playing XI, likely replacing KL Rahul behind the stumps.
Full Squad: India vs New Zealand (ODIs)
Here is the 15-member squad selected for the series:
Batters:
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain)
- Rinku Singh
Wicketkeepers:
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Sanju Samson (wk)
All-Rounders:
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
Bowlers:
- Mohammed Siraj
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Harshit Rana
- Prasidh Krishna
Why is Bumrah Missing?
Fans were quick to question the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. The BCCI clarified in a press note that the pace spearhead has been “rested” and not dropped.
“Keeping the workload in mind for the upcoming Champions Trophy in February and the England Test series later, Jasprit Bumrah has been given a break,” the BCCI stated.
In his absence, the pace attack will be led by Mohammed Siraj, supported by the left-arm swing of Arshdeep Singh and the raw pace of rookie sensation Mayank Yadav, who clocked 156 kmph in the domestic circuit last month.
What This Means for the Team
- Aggressive Top Order: With Jaiswal and Gill opening, India is clearly moving towards a T20-style aggressive approach in ODIs.
- Finisher Role: The inclusion of Rinku Singh suggests India wants a designated finisher at No. 6, moving away from the “anchor” strategy.
- Spin Heavy: With Kuldeep, Bishnoi, Axar, and Sundar, India is preparing for turning tracks in Hyderabad and Raipur.
Schedule: India vs New Zealand 2026
- 1st ODI: Jan 11 – Hyderabad
- 2nd ODI: Jan 14 – Raipur
- 3rd ODI: Jan 17 – Indore
FAQs
A: Shubman Gill has been named the captain for the ODI series against New Zealand.
A: Yes. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have both returned to the ODI squad to prepare for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
A: Tickets for the Hyderabad and Indore matches go live on BookMyShow tomorrow at 12:00 PM.
Disclaimer
Squad details are based on the official BCCI press release dated January 4, 2026. Player availability is subject to last-minute fitness checks.
