Shubman Gill named captain as India announces squad for New Zealand ODIs; Rohit, Virat in

Mumbai (The Uttam Hindu): The Indian cricket team is ready for its first major challenge in the new year 2026. On Saturday (January 3), the BCCI announced the Indian ODI squad for the home series against the Kiwis, starting January 11. The selectors have expressed confidence in young opener Shubman Gill, handing him the reins. The squad for the T20 series had already been announced.

Gill returns after injury, suspense over Iyer

Shubman Gill missed the last ODI series against South Africa due to injury. In his absence, KL Rahul assumed the captaincy duties, and India won the series 2-1. Gill has now returned to the team as captain, recovering from a fit condition. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and batsman Shreyas Iyer have also returned to the team. However, the BCCI has clarified that Shreyas Iyer, who has been appointed vice-captain, will only be able to participate in the series if he is declared fit by the medical team.

In the Rohit-Virat squad, young faces also get a chance

The announced squad features a mix of senior players and youth. Veterans like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been included in the squad. Meanwhile, young talents like Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy have been given opportunities. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant will be responsible for wicketkeeping duties.

Indian ODI team against New Zealand

Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

India vs New Zealand series full schedule

India and New Zealand will play a total of three ODIs and five T20Is, with the series beginning in Vadodara.

ODI series

January 11: First ODI, Vadodara

January 14: 2nd ODI, Rajkot

January 18: Third ODI, Indore

T20 series

January 21: First T20, Nagpur

January 23: 2nd T20I, Raipur

January 25: 3rd T20I, Guwahati

January 28: 4th T20I, Visakhapatnam

January 31: Fifth T20I, Thiruvananthapuram