In Shorts
- BCCI announces 15-man Indian squad for the New Zealand ODI series starting January 11.
- Rishabh Pant keeps his place but Mohammad Shami is not selected.
- Shubman Gill leads as captain with Shreyas Iyer named vice-captain pending fitness.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has officially revealed the Indian squad for the three One-Day Internationals against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on January 11 at Vadodara’s BCA Stadium. The series marks India’s first ODI action of the year ahead of a packed international calendar.
Shubman Gill will captain the side, supported by Shreyas Iyer in the vice-captain role, though the selectors clarified that Iyer’s participation depends on a fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Experienced campaigners Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli headline the batting lineup, bringing stability and run-making ability at the top.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has retained his place in the squad, providing depth in the batting order and backup behind the stumps. Despite strong performances in domestic cricket, Mohammad Shami has again been overlooked by the selection panel, continuing a trend that has ignited discussion among fans and pundits.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya has also missed out on selection, with reports suggesting his workload is being managed to preserve fitness ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The fast-bowling unit will be led by Mohammed Siraj, with Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana rounding out the pace attack. Kuldeep Yadav will handle spin duties.
The squad announcement brings a mix of experience and emerging talent as India looks to build momentum in 50-over cricket. The three ODIs against New Zealand will take place across multiple venues, giving the team a valuable chance to test combinations and prepare for major white-ball assignments later in the season.
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