The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce India’s One-Day International squad for the highly anticipated three-match series against New Zealand in the first week of January. This series, commencing on January 11 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, will serve as a crucial juncture in India’s planning for white-ball cricket, especially following the recent tour of South Africa.
Key changes to the squad will include the return of captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, both of whom missed the South Africa series due to injury. Gill, who had been recovering from a toe injury, is back in form, having resumed batting and set to play two matches for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26, indicating his readiness to lead the side once again. Meanwhile, Iyer’s situation remains more uncertain; he is undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. Though no final decision has been made regarding his availability for the New Zealand ODIs, insiders suggest he is making good progress.
However, the reintegration of Gill and Iyer is expected to come at the expense of a couple of current squad members. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who acted as the third option behind KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant during the South Africa tour, may have to step aside. Similarly, Tilak Varma, who served as a backup for Ruturaj Gaikwad, is also likely to be dropped as the team returns to a more stable lineup.
Despite impressive performances in domestic cricket, Ishan Kishan and Devdutt Padikkal are not expected to be included in the squad. Kishan, who has recently made a comeback to the T20I setup, has showcased excellent form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, even recording the second-fastest List A century by an Indian. Nevertheless, his return to the ODI squad may still be delayed. Padikkal, boasting an impressive List A average of 83.64 with two consecutive centuries in the current tournament, continues to miss out on an ODI call-up due to competition in India’s top order.
Selectors are likely to maintain a cautious approach to workload management, with Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah expected to be rested again. This continues the BCCI’s focus on ensuring the long-term fitness of key players as they eye the 2026 T20 World Cup, with both already missing India’s last two ODI series.
Axar Patel also appears to be on the sidelines. He did not play in South Africa, with the BCCI providing no clarity on whether his absence was due to a decision to rest him or for selection purposes. Current insights suggest that the management’s strategy to support Ravindra Jadeja may lead to Patel being excluded once again.
For Jadeja, the New Zealand series presents a significant opportunity. Recently, he has struggled to make an impact in ODIs, with recent omissions from the starting eleven and underwhelming performances against South Africa. As competition intensifies and with age becoming a factor, this series may be his last chance to solidify his position in India’s ODI plans.
As India prepares to face New Zealand, player selections highlight the delicate balance the management seeks to maintain-recognizing form, managing player fitness, and planning for future competitions while ensuring the present team remains competitive. The upcoming squad announcement will likely clarify the direction the team wishes to pursue in the ODI format.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/12/29/gill-iyer-set-for-odi-return-as-india-weigh-changes-for-nz-series/
Category: SPORTS
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Publish Date: 2025-12-29 06:40:00
