India will host New Zealand for a a high-octane three-match ODI series It starts from January 11, 2026. This series serves as an important bridge between the winners. Champions Cup 2025 and upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
With matches scheduled for Vadodara, Rajkot and Indore, led by the selection committee Ajit Agarkar is expected to meet Jan. 3 to finalize a roster that balances veteran experience with explosive young talent. He won after a successful 2-1 streak South Africa in December, India will aim to maintain their home advantage against a solid Blackcaps side. The series also serves as a leadership test Shubman Gillwill captain the side coming back from a neck injury.
Fans especially want to see the integration of domestic heavyweights who have forced their way through record-breaking performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Workload management remains a priority jasprit bumrah and Hardik Pandya He will be rested to ensure peak fitness for the global T20 showcase in February. This 15-man projected squad reflects a strategic mix of red-hot form and established hierarchy.
Here is India’s predicted squad for the ODI series against New Zealand under Shubman Gill.
Top Order
1. Shubman Gill (Captain)
International: The captain is coming back from a short neck injury after a tough T20 run that saw him ruled out of the World Cup squad recently. Despite a poor patch in T20Is (271 runs in his last 14 games), he remains India’s best ODI opener. He has been tasked with leading this transition towards the 2027 World Cup.
Inside: Gill has spent his recovery time focusing on technical improvements at NCA and has not featured heavily in recent domestic List A games. However, his previous domestic record remains the gold standard for young openers in India. He is expected to have a practice game before the series starts to find its rhythm.
2. Rohit Sharma
International: Rohit has enjoyed the vintage of 2025, with a recent 121 against. Australia Against two fifty in October South Africa in December. He remains the world’s most destructive opener, successfully translating his aggressive selfless approach into consistent big scores.
Inside: Rohit performed during the December break to maintain match fitness mumbai in the year Vijay Hazare trophy. He made an immediate impact, proving himself ready for a blistering century that silenced any talk of an age-related slowdown. His presence in the house was a big boost for Mumbai youth.
3. Virat Kohli
International: Kohli is in surgical form and continues his habit of anchoring big chases with clinical precision throughout 2025. He recently featured in the ODI series against South Africa where he smashed two back-to-back centuries and contributed crucial runs that helped India win the trophy. Despite his retirement from shorter formats such as T20Is, he remains the undisputed No. 3.
Inside: In a rare move, Kohli played for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy this December to stay sharp. With a brilliant century ahead of him, he dominated the group stages Andhra Pradesh and a solid half-century against Gujarat. His return to domestic white-ball cricket for the first time in years was the highlight of the season.
4. Yashasvi Jaiswal
International: Jaiswal officially arrived in the ODI arena a couple of weeks ago, celebrating his 2025 with a magnificent 116* against South Africa. His ability to maintain a strike rate above 100 while playing traditional cricket innings made him a lock for the team. He is now seen as the natural successor to the great openers.
Inside: Jaiswal has been a prolific scorer for Mumbai across all formats, though his international commitments have limited his domestic appearances this year. When possible, he is unstoppable, recording a string of high scores recently Anderson-Tendulkar trophy.
Middle Order
5. Gaikwad
International: Gaikwad cemented his middle-order credentials by smashing a brilliant 105 against South Africa in December 2025 while batting at No.4. His adaptability to batting in the middle or upper order makes him a perfectly useful batsman for the playing XI. He has successfully shed the T20 specialist tag with mature ODI tattoos.
Inside: He remains a giant in domestic cricket, consistently topping the charts for Maharashtra on his return from national duty. His form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy has been consistent where he recently hit a century Maharashtra against Uttarakhandto provide the stability that his state side needs. He is currently one of the few players in List A cricket with an average above 50.
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Goalkeepers
6. KL Rahul
International: Rahul is a mainstay of the middle order, scoring 66 and 60 against South Africa in the recent December ODI series. His role as the main wicket-taker allows India to play an additional bowling option and his composure under pressure is vital. He remains the most consistent performer in the No. 5 slot.
Inside: Rahul focused primarily on his international duties, but took part in key red-ball domestic fixtures to find his touch early in the season. His white ball domestic numbers are legendary and he remains the benchmark for finishing games in the domestic A List. He used the last gap to work on his retention drills.
7. Ishan Kishi
International: Kishan makes a roaring return to the team after being selected for the T20 World Cup 2026. His last outing in ODIs was a statement of intent and his ability to provide left-handed variety at top or middle is highly regarded. He is currently the frontrunner to replace Rishabh Pant as the explosive wicketkeeping option.
Inside: Kishan recently broke records by hammering for a sensational 39-ball 125 Jharkhand in the year Vijay Hazare trophy v. Karnataka. This knock of 14 sixes is the second fastest hundred by an Indian in history. His domestic form is currently so dominant that it has forced the selectors’ hand
Comprehensive
8. Ravindra Jadeja
International: Jadeja remains the No. 1 all-rounder in the ICC rankings for a significant part of 2025. His bowling remains incredibly economical (under 4.5 in ODIs) and his batting has become more reliable at the death. He was a key figure in India’s Champions Trophy victory earlier last year.
Inside: Jadeja rarely features in domestic cricket due to his all-format international schedule, but he remains the heart of the Saurashtra set-up. Whenever he returns, he dominates both disciplines. He is the ultimate safety net for the Indian team management.
9. Washington Sundar
International: Sundar is having his most consistent year yet, recently winning Player of the Series in T20s and proving his worth in ODIs with disciplined off-spin. He has become a vital asset due to his ability to play in the Powerplay. His lower-order batting has also improved, often scoring crucial 30s at high strike rates.
Inside: It has been a strength for Sundar Tamil Naduoften opens the batting and leads the spin attack. He is currently considered the most improved all-rounder in the Indian circuit.
Spinners
10. Kuldeep Yadav
International: Kuldeep is India’s middle-order batsman who recently took 4/41 against South Africa in December. He has become a smarter bowler, using his change of pace to outwit the modern batsmen. He remains one of the top three ODI bowlers in the world according to the latest ICC rankings.
11. Akhar Patel
International: The T20I vice-captain carried that confidence into the ODI format, providing the perfect backup and partner for Jadeja. His 2025 was marked by high-impact cameos and tight bowling spells in the Champions Trophy. He is currently one of the most reliable players in the team.
Fast Bowlers
12. Mohammad Shami
International: Shami made a blockbuster return to the ODI squad after a long injury lay-off and successful domestic work. His recent international outing was marked by his trademark seam position and ability to take wickets in sets. Rested Bumrah is expected to lead the attack in his absence.
Inside: The candle has been burning for a long time Bengalrecently scored 20 goals in just 4 Ranji Trophy matches to prove their eligibility. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he helped the build-up J&K for a record low total with a devastating opening post. His domestic workload has convinced the medical team that he is fit for 50-over cricket.
13. Muhammad Siraj
International: Siraj is the spearhead of the new ball known for his ability to extract bounce and movement on flat Indian tracks. He has maintained his status as a top-10 ODI bowler recently with regular performances in Australia and South Africa. His celebration like Ronaldo is a common occurrence in international cricket.
14. Arshdeep Singh
International: Arshdeep has gone from a T20 specialist to a regular ODI starter, offering a unique left-arm angle. He was part of the Champions Trophy squad and recently impressed with his improved pace in the South Africa series. He currently leads the chart for most wickets taken by an Indian pacer in the last 12 months.
15. Harshit Rana
International: Rana is the newest pace sensation who made his ODI debut against England in early 2025 with 3/53. He quickly gained a reputation for his heavy ball and aggressive nature. He was part of the Champions Trophy winning team and looks like a long-term prospect for all formats.
Inside: Rana has been the best pacer for Delhi and KKR, recently becoming the third best wicket taker in the IPL for KKR. He is also a low-order batsman, scoring the No. 9 domestic century (122) for the North Zone in 2023. His all-round ability makes him a very attractive option for a 15-man squad.
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