LATEST UPDATE — 29 OCTOBER 2026
🔴 Prasidh Krishna ruled out: Prasidh is set to miss India's ODI series against New Zealand as he continues recovering from a hamstring injury. Auqib Nabi is being considered as a possible replacement, but an official replacement announcement has not yet been confirmed in the reports available.
Virat Kohli has left Mumbai for Auckland, while Rohit Sharma has already arrived in New Zealand.
India’s ODI squads for the New Zealand tour in 2026 have been announced in two groups: one for the first three matches and another for the fourth and fifth ODIs. Shubman Gill leads the opening group, while Shreyas Iyer captains the final two matches.
The selection has raised questions ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. New Zealand are a strong ODI side who have consistently performed well in ICC tournaments, and India cannot afford to take this series lightly. The tour is an opportunity to build a reliable combination rather than treat ODI preparation as a secondary priority.
India’s ODI Squads for New Zealand
For the first three ODIs, Shubman Gill will captain India, with Shreyas Iyer as vice-captain. The squad features Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna — 🔴 INJURED / RULED OUT and Kuldeep Yadav. Prasidh Krishna was originally named subject to fitness clearance, but he is now 🔴 INJURED — RULED OUT OF THE ODI SERIES.
For the fourth and fifth ODIs, Shreyas Iyer will captain India, with Ishan Kishan as vice-captain and wicketkeeper. The squad features Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav.
Squad Lists at a Glance
First three ODIs Shubman Gill (Captain), Shreyas Iyer (Vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna — 🔴 INJURED / RULED OUT and Kuldeep Yadav.
Fourth and fifth ODIs Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Ishan Kishan (Vice-captain and wicketkeeper), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav.
India vs New Zealand ODI Schedule 2026
The five-match ODI series is scheduled for November 2026. Match timings below are listed in Indian Standard Time (IST).
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 4 November 2026 | Auckland | 7:30 AM |
| 2nd ODI | 7 November 2026 | Wellington | 7:30 AM |
| 3rd ODI | 10 November 2026 | Hamilton | 7:30 AM |
| 4th ODI | 13 November 2026 | Mount Maunganui | 7:30 AM |
| 5th ODI | 15 November 2026 | Mount Maunganui | 7:30 AM |
Is India Prioritising Test Cricket Over ODI Preparation?
India’s Test series against New Zealand is important, but the 2027 ODI World Cup is also approaching. With Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and other players expected to focus on Test preparations, India are effectively dividing their attention between formats.
Workload management is understandable, but India need to establish a reliable ODI combination well before the World Cup. New Zealand have consistently challenged India, and this series is an opportunity to identify the right players and give them clarity about their roles.
If India keep changing their plans after every defeat, players may struggle to establish themselves. Experimentation is necessary, but it should have a clear purpose.
India’s Bowling Attack Raises Concerns Ahead of the New Zealand Tour
Jasprit Bumrah’s absence makes India’s bowling combination even more important. In the last defeat against the West Indies, India’s bowlers conceded too many runs and struggled to remain economical. The team cannot afford similar performances against a strong New Zealand batting lineup.
Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh will be important options, but the team management must use them effectively, particularly in the death overs. Siraj needs clearly defined responsibilities, while Arshdeep’s inclusion provides an opportunity to add variety and strengthen the pace attack.
Gurnoor Brar continues to receive backing, with his height and ability to generate bounce potentially useful in New Zealand. However, he needs to convert that potential into consistent performances. Fitness and control are important concerns, and the selectors must evaluate him on results rather than potential alone. Prasidh Krishna is ruled out of the ODI series with a hamstring injury, while Anshul Kamboj will need to make his opportunity count. Auqib Nabi is being discussed as a possible replacement for Prasidh, subject to an official announcement.
The inclusion of Auqib Nabi and Yash Thakur for the final two ODIs gives India additional bowling options to assess. These opportunities should have a clear purpose, with the team identifying which bowlers can handle the new ball, control the middle overs and deliver at the death. India need dependable performers, not just more names in the squad.
Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja: Selection Questions
Washington Sundar’s omission is surprising given the backing he has received across formats. Naman Dhir’s emergence may have influenced the selectors’ plans, as he offers batting and some off-spin. However, a batter who can bowl a few overs is not automatically a dependable all-rounder.
India should avoid making major decisions based on one or two performances. Players need clearly defined roles and reasonable continuity to establish themselves internationally.
Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja also raise questions about India’s plans for the 2027 World Cup. Kuldeep remains a talented wrist-spinner, but New Zealand’s batters can be comfortable against spin, particularly when they have opportunities to attack. His selection should depend on the conditions and the opposition rather than reputation alone.
Jadeja’s absence is equally noteworthy given his experience in major tournaments. With Axar Patel, Kuldeep and Naman Dhir offering different combinations, the selectors appear to be exploring alternatives. India’s final choice should consider the balance between batting, bowling and fielding, rather than making decisions based only on recent results.
The bigger concern is consistency in selection. India need to decide what they expect from each player and give them a fair opportunity to fulfil that role.
Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad: Who Fits India’s Opening Plans?
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s omission is one of the biggest surprises in the squad announcement. He had previously been discussed as a potential long-term opening option for the 2027 ODI World Cup, but he has not been included in either announced ODI squad.
Does this mean Rohit Sharma has become the selectors’ fixed first-choice opener? Rohit’s experience is valuable, but India also need to plan for the future. Leaving Jaiswal out limits the opportunity to assess him in the ODI format and raises questions about the team’s backup strategy.
Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad are both included in the squads, but their roles need to be clear. Ishan offers wicketkeeping flexibility and could be considered as an opening option, while Gaikwad provides another top-order alternative.
If the selectors want to assess these players before the World Cup, they should give them opportunities in defined roles. Ishan should be evaluated in the position the team expects him to play, while Gaikwad needs a reasonable run of matches to demonstrate his suitability.
India cannot afford to leave important questions about the opening combination unanswered until shortly before the World Cup. The selectors need to clarify whether Jaiswal remains part of their long-term plans and how Ishan and Gaikwad fit into the team’s future.
India Need More Consistency in Selection
One of the biggest concerns surrounding India’s selections is the apparent lack of continuity. Players can receive strong backing and then lose their place after a few disappointing performances, while others are brought in without a clearly defined role.
Experimentation is necessary before a World Cup, but it should be planned rather than driven by short-term reactions. The selectors must identify a stable core, establish the best combination for different conditions and give players enough opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.
The New Zealand series should help India answer important questions about their batting order, bowling options and backup players. It should not become another exercise in changing the plan after every defeat.
Conclusion
India’s ODI squads for New Zealand have raised important questions about selection balance, Washington Sundar’s absence, Jadeja’s role and the continued backing of emerging bowlers. At the same time, Arshdeep Singh’s inclusion and opportunities for emerging bowlers give India a chance to strengthen their options.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, India need consistency, clearly defined roles and a reliable core squad. New Zealand will be a serious test, and the selectors must use this series to build a team capable of competing against the strongest sides rather than relying on repeated experiments without a clear direction.