The BCCI has unveiled India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, with the opening game set to take place in Vadodara on January 11. Shubman Gill will captain the side after returning from a series of injuries. While Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested, the rest of India’s senior players, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, are included in the squad.
India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer (vc)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Most of India’s picks made sense, but these 3 players were lucky to make the NZ ODI squad.
#1 Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj’s place in India’s ODI setup is currently uncertain. Although he played in the series against Australia, he has frequently moved in and out of squads recently, and it’s unclear whether the selectors consider him a key option in this format.
During India’s last series against South Africa, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna all featured. While Prasidh had a few expensive outings, he made a strong comeback with a four-wicket haul in the final ODI. All three pacers are in good form currently, giving the team little reason to alter their combination.
Additionally, questions remain over Siraj’s effectiveness beyond the powerplay. Even in the first 10 overs, he hasn’t been particularly threatening, especially against top-tier sides. If Jasprit Bumrah had been available for this series, it’s almost certain Siraj would have been left out.
#2 Nitish Kumar Reddy
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been performing reasonably well in the current domestic season, delivering a few notable contributions with both bat and ball for Andhra Pradesh. However, it remains uncertain whether he can replicate that success at the international level.
With Hardik Pandya rested, Nitish has earned a spot in the ODI squad as a fast-bowling all-rounder. Unlike Hardik, though, he cannot be relied upon as the third pacer in the lineup. Currently, India is unlikely to include a fourth seamer since they plan to play three spinners in home conditions.
Reddy’s international record is limited, with only sporadic performances in the longer format, making it debatable whether he truly deserves a place in the 50-over squad at this stage.
#3 Ravindra Jadeja
Where does Ravindra Jadeja fit into India’s plans for the 50-over format? The left-arm spinner was absent for the ODI series in Australia and, although he returned for the home series against South Africa in place of Axar Patel, his batting contributions were underwhelming.
Jadeja’s batting has declined considerably, while Axar has consistently performed, making him the stronger candidate for India’s limited-overs setup. Jadeja remains a useful option in the middle overs, but India cannot afford to carry a top-seven batter who is out of form.
With his white-ball performance dipping over time, it may be wise for India to start planning for a future without Jadeja as they approach the 2027 World Cup.
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