India will host New Zealand for a high-octane three-match ODI series beginning January 11, 2026. This sequence serves as an important bridge between a triumphant Champions Trophy 2025 and the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
With the matches scheduled for Vadodara, Rajkot, and Indore, the choice committee led by Ajit Agarkar is anticipated to fulfill on January 3 to finalize a squad that balances veteran expertise with explosive younger expertise. Following a profitable 2-1 sequence win over South Africa in December, India will purpose to keep up their dwelling dominance towards a resilient Blackcaps facet. The sequence additionally acts as a management check for Shubman Gill, who will return from a neck damage to captain the facet.
Followers are significantly desperate to see the mixing of home heavyweights who’ve compelled their means in by way of record-breaking performances within the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Workload administration stays a precedence, with Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya prone to be rested to make sure peak health for the worldwide T20 showpiece in February. This 15-member predicted squad displays a strategic mixture of red-hot type and established hierarchy.
Right here’s predicted India’s squad for the ODI sequence towards New Zealand underneath Shubman Gill
High Order
1. Shubman Gill (Captain)
Worldwide: The captain returns after a quick neck damage layoff following a difficult T20 run the place he was not too long ago omitted from the World Cup squad. Regardless of a lean patch in T20Is (271 runs in his final 14 video games), he stays India’s premier ODI opener with a stellar common. He has been tasked with main this transition part towards the World Cup 2027.
Home: Gill has spent his restoration time specializing in technical refinements on the NCA and hasn’t featured closely in latest home Checklist A video games. Nonetheless, his earlier home document stays the gold commonplace for younger openers in India. He’s anticipated to play a apply sport earlier than the sequence begins to seek out his rhythm.
2. Rohit Sharma
Worldwide: Rohit loved a classic 2025, not too long ago smashing a match-winning 121 towards Australia in October adopted by two fifties towards South Africa in December. He stays essentially the most harmful opener on the planet, efficiently transitioning his aggressive selfless method into constant large scores
Home: To take care of match health through the December break, Rohit featured for Mumbai within the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He made a right away influence, proving his readiness with a speedy century that silenced any discuss of age-related slowing down. His home presence has been a large enhance for the Mumbai kids.
3. Virat Kohli
Worldwide: Kohli has been in surgical type, persevering with his behavior of anchoring giant chases with scientific precision all through 2025. He not too long ago featured within the ODI sequence towards South Africa the place he smashed two back-to-back centuries, contributing important runs that helped India clinch the trophy. He stays the undisputed No. 3, regardless of his retirement from shorter codecs like T20Is.
Home: In a uncommon transfer, Kohli performed for Delhi within the Vijay Hazare Trophy this December to remain sharp. He dominated the group levels with a superb century towards Andhra Pradesh and a stable half-century towards Gujarat. His return to home white-ball cricket for the primary time in years has been the spotlight of the season.
4. Yashasvi Jaiswal
Worldwide: Jaiswal has formally arrived within the ODI enviornment, punctuating his 2025 with an impressive 116* towards South Africa simply weeks in the past. His means to keep up a strike price above 100 whereas taking part in conventional cricket pictures has made him a lock for the squad. He’s presently seen because the pure successor to the senior openers.
Home: Jaiswal has been a prolific scorer for Mumbai throughout all codecs, although his worldwide commitments have restricted his home appearances this 12 months. When out there, he has been unstoppable, not too long ago recording a string of excessive scores within the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Center Order
5. Ruturaj Gaikwad
Worldwide: Gaikwad solidified his middle-order credentials by smashing a superb 105 towards South Africa in December 2025 whereas batting at No. 4. His adaptability to bat within the center or high order makes him the right utility batter for the XI. He has efficiently shed the T20 specialist tag with mature ODI knocks.
Home: He stays a large in home cricket, persistently topping the charts for Maharashtra each time he returns from nationwide obligation. His type within the Vijay Hazare Trophy has been constant the place he not too long ago smashed a century for Maharashtra towards Uttarakhand, offering the soundness his state facet wants. He’s presently one of many few gamers averaging over 50 in Checklist A cricket.
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Wicketkeepers
6. KL Rahul
Worldwide: Rahul is the linchpin of the center order, not too long ago scoring a fluent 66 and 60 towards South Africa within the December ODI sequence. His function as the first wicketkeeper-batter permits India to play an additional bowling possibility, and his calmness underneath stress is significant. He stays essentially the most constant performer within the No. 5 slot.
Home: Rahul has centered totally on his worldwide duties however did take part in key red-ball home fixtures to seek out his contact earlier within the season. His white-ball home numbers are legendary, and he stays the benchmark for ending video games in home Checklist A. He has used the latest hole to work on his holding drills.
7. Ishan Kishan
Worldwide: Kishan is making a roaring comeback to the squad after being picked for the T20 World Cup 2026. His final ODI look was an announcement of intent, and his means to supply left-handed selection on the high or center is extremely valued. He’s presently the frontrunner to switch Rishabh Pant because the explosive keeper-option.
Home: Kishan not too long ago shattered data by hammering a sensational 39-ball 125 for Jharkhand within the Vijay Hazare Trophy towards Karnataka. This innings, that includes 14 sixes, is the second-fastest Checklist 100 by an Indian in historical past. His home type is presently so dominant that it compelled the selectors’ fingers
All-rounders
8. Ravindra Jadeja
Worldwide: Jadeja stays the premier all-rounder, holding the No. 1 spot in ICC rankings for a good portion of 2025. His bowling stays extremely economical (underneath 4.5 in ODIs), and his batting has grow to be extra dependable on the dying. He was a key determine in India’s Champions Trophy victory earlier final 12 months.
Home: Jadeja not often options in home cricket because of his all-format worldwide schedule, however he stays the center of the Saurashtra setup. Every time he returns, he dominates each self-discipline. He’s the final word security web for the Indian workforce administration.
9. Washington Sundar
Worldwide: Sundar is having fun with his most constant 12 months but, not too long ago profitable Participant of the Sequence within the T20s and proving his price in ODIs with disciplined off-spin. He has grow to be an important asset for his means to bowl within the Powerplay. His lower-order batting has additionally improved, typically scoring essential 30s at excessive strike charges.
Home: Sundar has been a power for Tamil Nadu, typically opening the batting and main the spin assault. He’s presently thought of essentially the most improved all-rounder within the Indian circuit.
Spinners
10. Kuldeep Yadav
Worldwide: Kuldeep is India’s strike bowler within the center overs, not too long ago taking 4/41 towards South Africa in December. He has advanced into a wiser bowler, utilizing his tempo variations to outthink trendy batters. He stays one of many high three ODI bowlers on the planet in keeping with the newest ICC rankings.
11. Axar Patel
Worldwide: The T20I vice-captain has carried that confidence into the ODI format, offering the right backup and companion for Jadeja. His 2025 was marked by high-impact cameos and tight bowling spells within the Champions Trophy. He’s presently one of the vital dependable fielders within the squad as nicely.
Quick Bowlers
12. Mohammed Shami
Worldwide: Shami might make a blockbuster return to the ODI squad after a protracted injury-enforced hiatus and a profitable home stint. His final worldwide outing was marked by his trademark seam place and talent to take wickets in clusters. He’s anticipated to steer the assault within the absence of the rested Bumrah.
Home: Shami has been on hearth for Bengal, not too long ago taking 20 wickets in simply 4 Ranji Trophy matches to show his health. Within the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he helped bundle out J&Ok for a document low complete with a devastating opening spell. His home workload has satisfied the medical workforce that he’s prepared for 50-over cricket.
13. Mohammed Siraj
Worldwide: Siraj is the spearhead of the brand new ball, recognized for his means to extract bounce and motion on flat Indian tracks. He not too long ago put in a disciplined efficiency in Australia and South Africa, sustaining his standing as a top-10 ODI bowler. His Ronaldo like celebration has grow to be a frequent sight in worldwide cricket.
14. Arshdeep Singh
Worldwide: Arshdeep has transitioned from a T20 specialist to a daily ODI starter, providing a novel left-arm angle. He was part of the Champions Trophy squad and not too long ago impressed along with his improved tempo within the South Africa sequence. He presently leads the charts for many wickets taken by an Indian pacer within the final 12 months.
15. Harshit Rana
Worldwide: Rana is the latest tempo sensation, making his ODI debut towards England earlier in 2025 with a powerful 3/53. He has shortly gained a repute for his heavy ball and aggressive temperament. He was part of the victorious Champions Trophy squad and is seen as a long-term prospect for all codecs.
Home: Rana has been the standout pacer for Delhi and KKR, not too long ago ending as a 3rd most high wicket-taker within the IPL for KKR. He’s additionally a useful lower-order batter, having scored a home century (122) batting at No. 9 for North Zone in 2023 . His all-round functionality makes him a really engaging possibility for the 15-member squad.
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