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India ODI Squad vs NZ Announcement Highlights: Gaikwad, Jurel missing as Gill, Iyer return
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India ODI Squad vs NZ Announcement Highlights: Gaikwad, Jurel missing as Gill, Iyer return

FirstCricket Staff • January 3, 2026, 18:09:23 IST
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India vs New Zealand ODI 2026 Squad Announcement Highlights: India’s ODI squad for New Zealand series which starts on 11 January has been announced. While captain Shubman Gill is back, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been dropped. Shreyas Iyer has been included subject to fitness clearance.

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India ODI Squad vs NZ Announcement Highlights: Gaikwad, Jurel missing as Gill, Iyer return
Shubman Gill is back as the captain while Shreyas Iyer's return remains dependent on his fitness. AFP

India vs New Zealand ODI Squad 2026 Announcement Highlights: The BCCI selectors met virtually on Saturday (3 January) and announced India's squad for the ODI series against New Zealand. Shubman Gill will captain the Indian ODI side once again after returning from injury. Shreyas Iyer is back as the vice captain but he will only participate in the series after getting cleared for fitness. Rishabh Pant has retained his place contrary to reports while Yashasvi Jaiswal has been retained over Ruturaj Gaikwad. Mohammed Siraj is also back into the squad while Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya have been rested.

India ODI Squad vs New Zealand 2026 Announcement Highlights

India ODI Squad vs New Zealand 2026 Highlights: Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are back for the ODI series against New Zealand after BCCI announced squad on Saturday (3 January).

January 3, 2026, 18:09:23 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Thank You for following

Thank you for following our coverage of the squad announcement. The ODI series starts January 11, so do not forget to join us live for the match. Do keep following Firstpost for more sports and news from all around the world. See you!
January 3, 2026, 17:57:47 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: No place for Devdutt Padikkal as well

Devdutt Padikkal, who has hit four centuries in five matches in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, also can not make it into the squad owing to tough competition for slots. His List A average is now of 83.38!
January 3, 2026, 17:44:46 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Ashwin tells Gaikwad to 'never give up' after harsh omission

R Ashwin has taken to social media to talk about Ruturaj Gaikwad’s omission from the ODI side.

No matter how you feel.

Get up, dress up, pad up, show up and never give up.

It can be hard to miss but such is the competition for places in the Indian team. #RuturajGaikwad pic.twitter.com/A1taarpMdF

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) January 3, 2026
January 3, 2026, 17:37:45 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Gaikwad's drop termed as 'hatred' by fans

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s axing from the ODI squad despite him scoring century in his last innings has irked fans who have termed the decision as an act of “hatred”.

Ruturaj Gaikwad is the biggest victim of Gautam Gambhir's politics. pic.twitter.com/r2rl7GwYWy

— ` (@Itz_Bl3ze) January 3, 2026

Not a fan of Ruturaj Gaikwad but what’s happening with him right now is pure hatred and politics.

Gautam Gambhir isn’t even trying to stay neutral anymore. https://t.co/ZuBx7NV0bE pic.twitter.com/PQhWc9gH8M

— 𝐉𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞 (@jod_insane) January 3, 2026
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How ICC’s security assessment was falsely portrayed by Bangladeshi media and sports adviser Asif Nazrul How ICC’s security assessment was falsely portrayed by Bangladeshi media and sports adviser Asif Nazrul ICC sources rubbish Bangladesh sports adviser’s sensational claim of BCB being asked to drop Mustafizur ICC sources rubbish Bangladesh sports adviser’s sensational claim of BCB being asked to drop Mustafizur
January 3, 2026, 17:31:21 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Ruturaj Gaikwad gets unlucky

Ruturaj Gaikwad hit a century in his last ODI innings and it was a fantastic knock even as he was slotted in an unusual middle-order role. However, he has now been shown the exit door and he would consider himself highly unlucky for this. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been given the nod ahead of him and it seems Rishabh Pant is being looked at as a back-up option in the middle order.
January 3, 2026, 17:23:30 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Why Axar has been dropped, asks a fan

Axar Patel continues to get sidelined from the ODI squad and fans are not happy with this

No reason why Axar has been dropped from the ODI squad since the last SA series. Did really well both with the bat & ball in Australia ODIs... Today he has smashed 130 in VHT & bowling well too. All the chest beating about backing, valuing domestic performances only in PC. https://t.co/VqU5Cvsuaw

— arfan (@Im__Arfan) January 3, 2026

Nitish Kumar Reddy can’t bat.
Washington Sundar can’t bowl.

But they got selected, and Axar Patel, who can bat and bowl better than both, got dropped.

What a clown BCCI has become. 🤡 pic.twitter.com/dt2hSOPba0

— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) January 3, 2026
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January 3, 2026, 17:15:47 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: The Shreyas Iyer situation

Shreyas Iyer is back in the Indian team for the first time since the spleen injury that he sustained while fielding during a match against Australia in Sydney last October. However, he is still not fully fit and will be cleared to play only after overcoming fitness concerns. In his absence, it will be interesting to see who will be taking the No 4 slot as Ruturaj Gaikwad, who scored a century at the position in his last ODI innings, has been dropped.
January 3, 2026, 17:09:34 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Ravindra Jadeja preferred over Axar Patel

Ravindra Jadeja has yet again managed to retain his place in the ODI side over Axar Patel. Axar had travelled to Australia and done well in the ODI series before Jadeja returned and took his place in the series against South Africa. Now, Jadeja has been persisted with and that could mean the team management is seeing Axar as a back-up to Jadeja.
January 3, 2026, 17:01:34 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Key Takeaways from the team

  • Ruturaj Gaikwad has been dropped and and Yashasvi Jaiswal is the back-up batting optioin
  • Mohammed Shami still out of contention and Mohammed Siraj is among the front-runners to take a spot
  • Shreyas Iyer is the Vice Captain and will return to take No 4 position
  • Rishabh Pant is the back-up wicket-keeper ahead of Dhruv Jurel and Ishan Kishan
January 3, 2026, 16:51:17 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Shubman Gill back to lead the Indian ODI side

BCCI announces India squad for the three ODIs against New Zealand:

🚨 News 🚨

India’s squad for @IDFCFIRSTBank ODI series against New Zealand announced.

Details ▶️ https://t.co/Qpn22XBAPq#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/8Qp2WXPS5P

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2026
January 3, 2026, 16:44:23 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Hardik Pandya rested

Hardik Pandya has not been cleared by the BCCI COE to bowl 10 overs in a match and considering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to follow, his workload is being managed, stated the board in its release. He is in the T20I series squad though.
January 3, 2026, 16:38:43 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Squad revealed

The Senior Men’s Selection Committee has picked India’s squad for the upcoming IDFC First Bank three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting 11th January at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara.

India’s ODI squad for NZ series: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal

Note: Shreyas Iyer’s availability is subject to fitness clearance from BCCI COE.

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January 3, 2026, 16:21:33 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Agarkar, RP watching Mumbai vs Maharashtra match

National selectors Ajit Agarkar and RP Singh are watching the Vijay Hazare Trophy fixture between Mumbai and Maharashtra at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Maharashtra are dominating Mumbai in that match.
January 3, 2026, 16:04:28 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Ruturaj outscores Jaiswal in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal are fighting for the spot of the spare batter in the team. Jaiswal’s Mumbai were up against Gaikwad’s Maharashtra today in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and it was Gaikwad who came out as the better batter today. Gaikwad, batting at No. 4 scored, 66 while Jaiswal was out for only 3.
January 3, 2026, 15:43:41 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Devjit Saikia says squad will be announced this afternoon

On the India vs New Zealand 2026 ODI Squad Announcement, Devjit Saikia told ANI: “As you know, from the 11th of January, India is going to play New Zealand in a three-match ODI series and today we have a meeting with the selectors and in the afternoon we are going to announce the squad for the New Zealand series…”
January 3, 2026, 15:26:12 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Ishan Kishan fails for Jharkhand

Ishan Kishan’s hopes of making a comeback into the Indian ODI side might have suffered a bit of a setback. He could only score 21 from 21 balls against Kerala in Vijay Hazare Trophy today. His competitors, Rishabh Pant scored a quickfire half-century and Dhruv Jurel too scored a fifty for UP.
January 3, 2026, 15:01:49 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Rishabh Pant reminds selectors of his abilities

Meanwhile, in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Rishabh Pant has smashed a quickfire 37-ball 67 to power Delhi to an eight-wicket win over Services in Round 5. Pant hit four fours and six sixes in his innings and returned not out along with Priyansh Arya who too starred with a 45-ball 72 to set up Delhi’s victory.

Will this knock force BCCI to keep Pant in the ODI side?

January 3, 2026, 14:33:25 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: What was India's squad for the SA ODI series

It was this: KL Rahul (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel.

With Shubman Gill set to return, one of Yashasvi Jaiswal or Ruturaj Gaikwad will have to make way.

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January 3, 2026, 14:10:33 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: What happened to Varun Chakravarthy?

Varun Chakravarthy was among India’s key wicket-takers in the 2025 Champions Trophy. He played a big role in India’s victory in the tournament but after that, he has not been included in the squad even as he continues to bamboozle batters in T20Is. The reason could be that the team management is looking ahead at the 2027 World Cup which is primarily in South Africa. Since spinners will not be as useful there, so India seem to be grooming pacers for the event.
January 3, 2026, 13:43:12 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: What could be India's pace attack?

In India’s last ODI series against South Africa, India fielded a three-pronged pace attack in the form of Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna. The trio will again be the front-runner to start. However, there have been reports of a temptation to bring back Mohammed Shami. With Jasprit Bumrah being given a break, Shami’s experience could become key.
January 3, 2026, 13:19:37 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Will Dhruv Jurel be picked in the ODI squad?

Dhruv Jurel was part of the ODI squad against South Africa, but did not play a single game. It would be interesting whether he is picked again or selectors go for Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan.
January 3, 2026, 12:52:47 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya will be missing the ODIs vs NZ

Don’t expect Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya to be a part of the ODI squad. They are set to be rested to keep them fresh for the T20I series and the T20 World Cup, which starts in February.
January 3, 2026, 12:51:15 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Ruturaj Gaikwad must continue to be part of the ODI squad

As Shreyas Iyer has failed a strength test, Gaikwad is set to continue batting at No 4. Which also means Pant may continue to be on the bench if he is included in the squad.
January 3, 2026, 12:23:10 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: The Rishabh Pant mystery should soon be over

It has been reported that BCCI selectors are keen on picking Ishan Kishan as reserve keeper over Rishabh Pant. Kishan has been in top form, scoring two centuries in domestic cricket recently. But Pant has hardly hand any chance in ODIs. He last played an ODI in 2024.
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January 3, 2026, 12:10:16 (IST)
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India vs New Zealand ODI Squad 2026 Announcement Live Updates: BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia confirms IND squad will be picked on Saturday

BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia has also confirmed that the India squad for the New Zealand ODI series will be picked today afternoon after a meeting with the selectors.

“As you know, from the 11th of January, India is going to play New Zealand in a three-match ODI series and today we have a meeting with the selectors and in the afternoon we are going to announce the squad for the New Zealand series…,” he said.

#WATCH | Guwahati | BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia says, "Due to the recent developments that are going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad and BCCI has also said that if they ask… pic.twitter.com/53oxuRcmZp

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2026
January 3, 2026, 11:55:44 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) asks KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman

The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) secretary Devjit Saikia has asked Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman amid growing attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

“Due to the recent developments which is going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchisee KKR to release one of their player Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh from their squad and BCCI has also said that if they ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement,” said Saikia.

January 3, 2026, 11:42:44 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Will Devdutt Padikkal get a call-up?

Devdutt Padikkal is in insane form at the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. After scores of 113, 22, 124 and 147, he is yet again nearing a century in the ongoing clash between Karnataka and Tripura. It will be his fourth century in five matches in the tournament and that puts him serious contention for a place in the ODI side. However, with all the batting slots already booked, it seems very difficult for Padikkal to break in despite tremendous 50-over numbers in domestic cricket.
January 3, 2026, 11:24:57 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Meanwhile, the fifth round of VHT is underway

Round 5 matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy are going on right now. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma continue to be out but some other big names are in action. Arshdeep Singh has returned for Punjab while KL Rahul has taken the middle-order role for Karnataka. Hardik Pandya too is back for Baroda where he is playing under the captaincy of his brother Krunal.
January 3, 2026, 11:03:06 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Pathans feels Shubman Gill will soon get used to the challenges of being India's captain in ODIs and Tests

“When I was picked for the first time, at 19 years of age, the great Rahul Dravid said, ‘Irfan, it’s good that you have reached this level, but things will only get difficult from here on.’ Upon asking him, What should I do if things do get difficult? He replied, ‘You will get used to handling it…’ and the same will happen with Shubman Gill. One good thing that happened on the England tour for Shubman was that his Test average improved, and his authority over the team also increased. Now he also has the responsibility in ODIs and it is a huge opportunity for him to grow,” Pathan said.
January 3, 2026, 10:48:52 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Irfan Pathan wants Rohit and Kohli to play the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027

“You definitely want to think about the ICC 2027 ODI World Cup. It is far away, but I just want to see both Rohit and Kohli playing for the longest time, for India and when not playing international cricket, in domestic cricket. They are playing just one format and nothing else, so the more they play, the better it is,” Pathan said on Star Sports.
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January 3, 2026, 10:39:52 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: For the unversed, BCCI selectors have already announced the T20I squad for NZ series

India’s squad for T20I series against NZ and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (WK)
January 3, 2026, 10:16:44 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Rishabh Pant would hope to impress the selectors with a good performance for Delhi on Saturday

The squad will be picked today and Pant would look to do well during the Services vs Delhi Vijay Hazare Trophy match. Pant has a highest of 70 in four matches so far for Delhi in VHT. And it is being touted that Ishan Kishan could replace him in the squad.
January 3, 2026, 10:11:56 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Team India to assemble in Vadodara on 8 January...Kohli to join after VHT game

Team India camp at Vadodara will start on 8 January with the first ODI taking place in the same city on 11 January. Virat Kohli is expected to join the camp after playing for Delhi against Railways in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on 6 January.
January 3, 2026, 09:44:34 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Where and where to watch the India ODI squad announcement?

Good question. The India ODI squad will not be announced through a press conference, nor will there be a live stream. The squad is expected to be announced through a media release.
January 3, 2026, 09:33:45 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Where and where to watch IND vs NZ ODI series

The three-match India vs New Zealand ODI series will be livestreamed on JioHotstar and the live broadcast would be available on Star Sports.
January 3, 2026, 09:13:11 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Check the full schedule for three-match IND vs NZ ODI series

The first ODI will be played in Vadodara on 11 January. The second ODI is in Rajkot on 14 January and the final match will be played on 18 January in Indore. All matches will start at 01:30 pm (IST).
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January 3, 2026, 08:58:56 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: A BCCI insider has revealed that selectors are keeping an eye on Shami, raising hopes for his return

“Mohammed Shami is being discussed on a regular basis,” a BCCI insider told NDTV. “He is not out of reckoning. The only concern is about his fitness. A bowler of his calibre will get wickets. It is wrong to say he is out of the selection radar. He is looking good for the New Zealand One-Day series. Do not be surprised if he is picked, given his experience and ability to take wickets at will. Even the 2027 World Cup is a possibility.”
January 3, 2026, 08:47:55 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's presence triggers massive rush for tickets

A massive rush has been witnessed for the IND vs NZ ODI tickets. Expect a full house in all stadiums, which underlines the popularity of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

We need to start practicing for tickets cuz this was me today trying to book ind vs nz 😭😭 81k queue for 30k tickets and my desired tickets were sold out in 10 minutes 😭😭
We need to prepare for bloodbath during ticketing pic.twitter.com/LgE8Z18J6b

— Sarveeʷᶦᵗʰ ᵇᵗˢ ⁷ ⊙⊝⊜ (@minggukkk97) January 3, 2026
January 3, 2026, 08:37:25 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Why Mohammed Shami is back in contention?

Shami has been out of the Team India squad since the Champions Trophy win in March last year. BCCI head selector Ajit Agarkar said a while back that Shami has not been fit enough to be picked for India, but things have changed recently. Shami has taken 21 wickets in the last seven domestic matches. He is fit, playing regularly and taking wickets. Now the ball is in the selectors’ court.
January 3, 2026, 08:34:43 (IST)
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India ODI Squad vs New Zealand Announcement LIVE Updates: Will it be fair to drop Rishabh Pant?

There are rumours that BCCI selectors could drop Pant to accommodate Ishan Kishan, but will that be fair? Pant last played an ODI in 2024, and while some may feel he is yet to produce his best in the white-ball formats, dropping him without giving him a chance would be unfair. Even in the previous ODI series against South Africa, Pant was the reserve keeper and did not play any match. One might say he has done nothing wrong to deserve a drop.

India vs New Zealand ODI Squad 2026 Live Updates: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors will meet on Saturday (3 January) virtually to pick India's squad for the ODI series against New Zealand. India and New Zealand will play a three-match ODI series, starting from 11 January at Vadodara. The next T20 India vs New Zealand ODIs are on 14 and 18 January at Rajkot and Indore, respectively.

While last year there were questions over whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli would continue playing ODIs, their recent good form seems to have put those questions to bed. The players have not said anything, but it is now seen as a guarantee that Kohli and Rohit are targetting the 2027 ODI World Cup. They also recently featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring one century each.

BCCI selectors to drop Pant, pick Shami?

So, as we prepare for Rohit and Kohli’s comeback, there are rumours that Rishabh Pant may get dropped to accommodate Ishan Kishan. Pant did not play a single ODI in 2025 and was a reserve keeper to KL Rahul in the last ODI series against South Africa. However, he has had a poor time so far in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, registering a highest of 70 in four matches.

Kishan, meanwhile, is in great form, scoring a match-winning century for Jharkhand in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which helped him get selected for the T20 World Cup. He also scored a hundred recently in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. It will be interesting to see if the BCCI selectors pick Kishan over Pant.

Also in contention for a comeback is pacer Mohammed Shami, who has taken 21 wickets in the last seven matches. His fitness was seen as a problem earlier, but now that the 35-year-old is playing regularly and taking wickets, it would be difficult for the BCCI selectors to ignore him.

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are set to be rested during the ODI series vs New Zealand to keep them fresh for the T20Is and the T20 World Cup that starts next month.

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India, US to resume BTA talks after 5 months as Gor pushes for trade deal with 'real friends'

India, US to resume BTA talks after 5 months as Gor pushes for trade deal with 'real friends'

ICC sources rubbish Bangladesh sports adviser’s sensational claim of BCB being asked to drop Mustafizur

ICC sources rubbish Bangladesh sports adviser’s sensational claim of BCB being asked to drop Mustafizur

Jerome Powell: The 'Fed chair with a spine' taking on Trump

Jerome Powell: The 'Fed chair with a spine' taking on Trump

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