 "India squad for the New Zealand ODI series is expected to come a few days after new year. AFP")
India’s final ODI series in the current home season begins January 11 against New Zealand with the two teams facing each other in three matches. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be in action once again before the duo goes on a hiatus from international cricket as India do not play 50-over cricket till July after the New Zealand series.
The ODIs will be followed by a five-match T20I series which will be India’s last assignment in the format before they begin their T20 World Cup title defence from February 7.
Before India’s last ODIs in a while, let us take a look at how the squad is shaping up for the series.
Shubman Gill to return, Shreyas Iyer doubtful
ODI skipper Shubman Gill is set to return to the 50-over team where he would want to shake off the disappointment of missing out on the T20 World Cup squad . However, his deputy Shreyas Iyer’s participation in the New Zealand series still remains doubtful.
Both the players had missed out in the series against South Africa due to injuries. While Gill has fully recovered and also played the T20Is against South Africa, the same cannot be said of Iyer’s fitness. He is close to achieving match fitness but has not yet reached there.
An indicator of whether or not the vice captain will return to the squad would come if Iyer turns up for Mumbai in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Gill’s return would mean Yashasvi Jaiswal could be dropped and if Iyer too returns, Ruturaj Gaikwad might find it hard to retain his place.
Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah to be rested
Cricbuzz on Monday reported that all-rounder Hardik Pandya and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will both be rested for the New Zealand ODIs. With both expected to play crucial roles in India’s T20 World Cup defence, BCCI is not willing to risk them in the ODIs.
Pandya, however, is expected to play for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy while Bumrah, whose workload is closely managed, will not play the competition. In Pandya’s absence Nitish Kumar Reddy could continue to get chances while the pace trio of Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna will be retained.
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View AllRishabh Pant could be replaced by Ishan Kishan
Another big change that reports suggest is that Rishabh Pant might get dropped from the ODI side. He did not get a chance in the South Africa series even as the number four position was vacant due to Shreyas Iyer’s injury and now it seems he could be on his way out.
BCCI could reward Ishan Kishan for his stunning domestic form for Jharkhand. Kishan has not played for India in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup where he was the back-up opener. But his brilliant domestic performances have forced the selectors to take note.