Today, the selectors of BCCI will take some big calls as they zero in on the India vs New Zealand ODI series squad. Likely Omission of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and star pacer Mohammed Shami’s potential return are the two major talking points that will headline the selection meeting. Before the focus shifts to T20Is, the three-match ODI series against New Zealand is the last bilateral competition for the Indian cricket team. The T20 world Cup begins on 7 February, and all attention of Indian Cricket Team will be on that. After the ODI series, India will play a five-match T20I series against New Zealand. For keeping Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya fresh for the T20Is, they missing from action in ODI series. The ODI series against New Zealand begins in Vadodara on January 11, before the action moves to Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January 18.
Also Read : https://sportslila.com/india-vs-new-zealand-odi-2026-squad-announcement-everything-you-need-to-know/
3 important questions of India Squad announcement :
Squad of the India vs New Zealand ODI series will be picked today. Three questions upon which BCCI selectors need to ponder upon:
1. Should Ishan Krishan get the reward for his recent good show in domestic cricket or should Rishabh Pant be picked?
2. Does the BCCI finally give Mohammed Shami a chance by making a U-turn?
3. Domestic cricket performers like Devdutt Padikkal and Sarfaraz Khan should be rewarded?
Sarfaraz Khan has been brilliant in the domestic cricket but with a hundred against South Africa, Ruturaj Gaikwad has already surged ahead of him among contenders. Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, who are also part of the T20I format, could once again get a look-in. Rishabh Pant already out of T20I side and with his ODI hopes looking expose, to showcase his continued relevance to India’s white-ball plans as he has effectively only the IPL and a handful of Tests later 2025.
