India will host New Zealand for a high-octane three-match ODI series starting January 11, 2026. This series serves as a vital bridge between a triumphant Champions Trophy 2025 and the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
With the matches scheduled for Vadodara, Rajkot, and Indore, the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar is expected to meet on January 3 to finalize a squad that balances veteran experience with explosive young talent. Following a successful 2-1 series win over South Africa in December, India will aim to maintain their home dominance against a resilient Blackcaps side. The series also acts as a leadership test for Shubman Gill, who will return from a neck injury to captain the side.
Fans are particularly eager to see the integration of domestic heavyweights who have forced their way in through record-breaking performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Workload management remains a priority, with Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya likely to be rested to ensure peak fitness for the global T20 showpiece in February. This 15-member predicted squad reflects a strategic mix of red-hot form and established hierarchy.
Here’s predicted India’s squad for the ODI series against New Zealand under Shubman Gill
Top Order
1. Shubman Gill (Captain)
International: The captain returns after a brief neck injury layoff following a challenging T20 run where he was recently omitted from the World Cup squad. Despite a lean patch in T20Is (271 runs in his last 14 games), he remains India’s premier ODI opener with a stellar average. He has been tasked with leading this transition phase toward the World Cup 2027.
Domestic: Gill has spent his recovery time focusing on technical refinements at the NCA and hasn’t 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 play a practice game before the series begins to find his rhythm.
2. Rohit Sharma
International: Rohit enjoyed a vintage 2025, recently smashing a match-winning 121 against Australia in October followed by two fifties against South Africa in December. He remains the most destructive opener in the world, successfully transitioning his aggressive selfless approach into consistent big scores
Domestic: To maintain match fitness during the December break, Rohit featured for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He made an immediate impact, proving his readiness with a rapid century that silenced any talk of age-related slowing down. His domestic presence has been a massive boost for the Mumbai youngsters.
3. Virat Kohli
International: Kohli has been in surgical form, continuing his habit of anchoring large chases with clinical precision throughout 2025. He recently featured in the ODI series against South Africa where he smashed two back-to-back centuries, contributing vital runs that helped India clinch the trophy. He remains the undisputed No. 3, despite his retirement from shorter formats like T20Is.
Domestic: In a rare move, Kohli played for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy this December to stay sharp. He dominated the group stages with a brilliant century against Andhra Pradesh and a solid half-century against Gujarat. His return to domestic white-ball cricket for the first time in years has been the highlight of the season.
4. Yashasvi Jaiswal
International: Jaiswal has officially arrived in the ODI arena, punctuating his 2025 with a magnificent 116* against South Africa just weeks ago. His ability to maintain a strike rate above 100 while playing traditional cricket shots has made him a lock for the squad. He is currently viewed as the natural successor to the senior openers.
Domestic: Jaiswal has been a prolific scorer for Mumbai across all formats, though his international commitments have limited his domestic appearances this year. When available, he has been unstoppable, recently recording a string of high scores in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Middle Order
5. Ruturaj Gaikwad
International: Gaikwad solidified his middle-order credentials by smashing a brilliant 105 against South Africa in December 2025 while batting at No. 4. His adaptability to bat in the middle or top order makes him the perfect utility batter for the XI. He has successfully shed the T20 specialist tag with mature ODI knocks.
Domestic: He remains a giant in domestic cricket, consistently topping the charts for Maharashtra whenever he returns from national duty. His form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy has been consistent where he recently smashed a century for Maharashtra against Uttarakhand, providing the stability his state side needs. He is currently one of the few players averaging over 50 in List A cricket.
Also READ: Reason why Shreyas Iyer will miss the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand
Wicketkeepers
6. KL Rahul
International: Rahul is the linchpin of the middle order, recently scoring a fluent 66 and 60 against South Africa in the December ODI series. His role as the primary wicketkeeper-batter allows India to play an extra bowling option, and his calmness under pressure is vital. He remains the most consistent performer in the No. 5 slot.
Domestic: Rahul has focused primarily on his international duties but did participate in key red-ball domestic fixtures to find his touch earlier in the season. His white-ball domestic numbers are legendary, and he remains the benchmark for finishing games in domestic List A. He has used the recent gap to work on his keeping drills.
7. Ishan Kishan
International: Kishan is making a roaring comeback to the squad after being picked for the T20 World Cup 2026. His last ODI appearance was a statement of intent, and his ability to provide left-handed variety at the top or middle is highly valued. He is currently the frontrunner to replace Rishabh Pant as the explosive keeper-option.
Domestic: Kishan recently shattered records by hammering a sensational 39-ball 125 for Jharkhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Karnataka. This innings, featuring 14 sixes, is the second-fastest List A hundred by an Indian in history. His domestic form is currently so dominant that it forced the selectors’ hands
All-rounders
8. Ravindra Jadeja
International: Jadeja remains the premier all-rounder, holding the No. 1 spot in ICC rankings for a significant portion 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.
Domestic: Jadeja rarely features in domestic cricket due to his all-format international schedule, but he remains the heart of the Saurashtra setup. Whenever he returns, he dominates both discipline. He is the ultimate safety net for the Indian team management.
9. Washington Sundar
International: Sundar is enjoying his most consistent year yet, recently winning Player of the Series in the T20s and proving his worth in ODIs with disciplined off-spin. He has become a vital asset for his ability to bowl in the Powerplay. His lower-order batting has also improved, often scoring crucial 30s at high strike rates.
Domestic: Sundar has been a force for Tamil Nadu, often opening the batting and leading 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 strike bowler in the middle overs, recently taking 4/41 against South Africa in December. He has evolved into a smarter bowler, using his pace variations to outthink modern batters. He remains one of the top three ODI bowlers in the world according to the latest ICC rankings.
11. Axar Patel
International: The T20I vice-captain has 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 fielders in the squad as well.
Fast Bowlers
12. Mohammed Shami
International: Shami could make a blockbuster return to the ODI squad after a long injury-enforced hiatus and a successful domestic stint. His last international outing was marked by his trademark seam position and ability to take wickets in clusters. He is expected to lead the attack in the absence of the rested Bumrah.
Domestic: Shami has been on fire for Bengal, recently taking 20 wickets in just 4 Ranji Trophy matches to prove his fitness. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he helped bundle out J&K for a record low total with a devastating opening spell. His domestic workload has convinced the medical team that he is ready for 50-over cricket.
13. Mohammed Siraj
International: Siraj is the spearhead of the new ball, known for his ability to extract bounce and movement on flat Indian tracks. He recently put in a disciplined performance in Australia and South Africa, maintaining his status as a top-10 ODI bowler. His Ronaldo like celebration has become a frequent sight in international cricket.
14. Arshdeep Singh
International: Arshdeep has transitioned from a T20 specialist to a regular ODI starter, offering a unique left-arm angle. He was a part of the Champions Trophy squad and recently impressed with his improved pace in the South Africa series. He currently leads the charts for most wickets taken by an Indian pacer in the last 12 months.
15. Harshit Rana
International: Rana is the newest pace sensation, making his ODI debut against England earlier in 2025 with an impressive 3/53. He has quickly gained a reputation for his heavy ball and aggressive temperament. He was a part of the victorious Champions Trophy squad and is seen as a long-term prospect for all formats.
Domestic: Rana has been the standout pacer for Delhi and KKR, recently finishing as a third most top wicket-taker in the IPL for KKR. He is also a handy lower-order batter, having scored a domestic century (122) batting at No. 9 for North Zone in 2023 . His all-round capability makes him a very attractive option for the 15-member squad.
Also READ: Rajeev Shukla reacts amid mounting speculation around Gautam Gambhir’s future as India head coach
