Mumbai, January 3, 2026 – In a significant development ahead of the three-match ODI series starting January 11, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today unveiled its 15-member squad, signaling a blend of youth and experience amid preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup. New Zealand, having named their touring party earlier last month, will arrive with a revamped lineup under stand-in captain Michael Bracewell. The series, sponsored by IDFC First Bank, kicks off in Vadodara, followed by games in Rajkot (January 14) and Mumbai (January 17), promising high-stakes action as both teams fine-tune their white-ball strategies.
India's Squad: Gill Takes the Helm in Transitional Phase
Shubman Gill has been appointed captain for the series, marking a step in India's leadership transition following recent discussions on workload management for veterans. Shreyas Iyer returns from injury as vice-captain, bolstering the middle order after impressive domestic performances. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, fresh from heroics in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, have been included to provide stability at the top, while Rishabh Pant makes a comeback as the second wicketkeeper, quelling rumors of his potential exclusion.
Key inclusions include Mohammed Siraj's return to the pace attack after a brief hiatus, alongside young guns like Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who impressed in recent outings. Notable absences are Ruturaj Gaikwad, dropped despite a recent century, and Mohammed Shami, overlooked amid fitness concerns. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested to manage their workloads ahead of the T20 World Cup, with Pandya not yet cleared to bowl a full quota of overs by the BCCI's Center of Excellence.
The full Indian squad is as follows:
| Role | Player |
|---|---|
| Captain | Shubman Gill |
| Vice-Captain | Shreyas Iyer |
| Batsmen | Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal |
| Wicketkeepers | KL Rahul (primary), Rishabh Pant |
| All-rounders | Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy |
| Pacers | Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh |
| Spinner | Kuldeep Yadav |
This selection reflects India's focus on building depth, with selectors emphasizing form and fitness. "The squad balances experience with emerging talent, ensuring we're ready for the challenges ahead," a BCCI source noted.
New Zealand's Squad: Bracewell Leads in Williamson's Absence
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) had earlier announced their squads for the white-ball tour on December 23, 2025, with Michael Bracewell stepping up as ODI captain in the absence of Kane Williamson, who is being rested for workload management. The squad features maiden call-ups for spinner Jayden Lennox and several fresh faces like Kristian Clarke and Michael Rae, aiming to inject youth into a side recovering from recent inconsistencies.
Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips anchor the batting, while all-rounder Daryl Mitchell provides balance. The pace department includes Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy, with spin options in Lennox and Adi Ashok. Notably, the Kiwis have opted for a mix of T20I and ODI specialists, with Mitchell Santner captaining the T20I leg (though this report focuses on ODIs).
The full New Zealand ODI squad:
| Role | Player |
|---|---|
| Captain | Michael Bracewell |
| Batsmen | Henry Nicholls, Will Young |
| Wicketkeeper | Mitch Hay, Devon Conway, Josh Clarkson |
| All-rounders | Daryl Mitchell, Zak Foulkes, Glenn Phillips, Jayden Lennox, Nick Kelly |
| Pacers | Kyle Jamieson, Kristian Clarke, Michael Rae |
| Spinners | Adi Ashok |
NZC highlighted the tour as a crucial opportunity to test bench strength against a formidable Indian side on spin-friendly pitches. "We're excited about the new talent and the leadership of Bracewell," an NZC spokesperson said.
Context and Expectations
This series comes at a pivotal time for both teams. India, under head coach Gautam Gambhir, is navigating a generational shift, with the ODI format serving as a bridge to the T20 World Cup later in 2026. Resting key players like Pandya and Bumrah underscores priorities on multi-format sustainability. New Zealand, meanwhile, seeks redemption after a mixed 2025, using this tour to build momentum.
Fans on social media are buzzing, with debates over selections like Pant's inclusion and Gaikwad's snub dominating discussions. As the countdown begins, all eyes will be on how these squads perform in what promises to be a thrilling bilateral encounter. Stay tuned for more updates as the teams finalize their preparations.