India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series would most likely be announced on weekend and it could be full of surprises with a big name in danger of being dropped.
Mohammed Shami could make a return to the Indian ODI squad for the New Zealand series that starts on 11 January, and Rishabh Pant could be dropped when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors convene to pick the squad. Team India start their 2026 calendar with the New Zealand series in Vadodara. The next two matches will be played in Rajkot and Indore on 14 and 18 January.
While the focus is firmly fixed on the T20 World Cup 2026, the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection panel would also look to sort out combinations in the ODI squad. The next ODI World Cup is in 2027, and it could be the last one for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are set to return to the squad.
Rishabh Pant to be dropped from ODIs?
Also returning to the squad would be captain Shubman Gill, who missed the ODI series vs South Africa due to a neck injury. But wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant can be dropped, says a report in news agency PTI. The report added that one member in Team India management is not happy with Pant’s aggressive batting style and wants to add someone who is more orthodox.
Interestingly, Pant is a reserve keeper in the side, with KL Rahul being the first choice. Pant last played an ODI in 2024, and did not get a single chance vs South Africa. The 28-year-old averages 33.50 in ODIs, having scored 871 runs in 31 matches with one century.
Despite his strong skills, Pant has never gotten an extended run in the ODI side, but he could face the axe to accommodate Ishan Kishan, who is in blistering form. After hitting a century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali final,
Kishan was picked in India’s T20 World Cup squad, and he has been in good form in List A matches as well.
Kishan recently hit a hundred for Jharkhand against Karnataka in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, while Pant’s highest is 70 in four matches since 24 December.
Dhruv Jurel was also part of the ODI series against the Proteas. So it’s also possible that Pant is retained and Jurel is dropped to include Kishan.
But what we can definitely say is that Ruturaj Gaikwad would continue to bat at No 4 after hitting an ODI century against South Africa and against Uttarakhand recently in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Shreyas Iyer reportedly
failed a strength test recently, which means Gaikwad is set to continue to be a part of the squad and the playing XI.
SHAMI must RETURN
After SA20, SA is going to remove all their tired pitches and bring in drop in pitches which will help seamers. For a long Tournament like WC, there will be good amount of grass in those drop in pitches. In such cases Shami becomes lethal pic.twitter.com/Vmqzd9HkJS
— 𝗕𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗨 (@Brutu24) January 1, 2026
Shami set for Team India return?
But all eyes will be on the bowling department. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are reportedly set to be rested with an eye on the T20 World Cup, but it would be interesting to see if Shami makes a comeback.
Shami last played for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final. But the 35-year-old pacer is in top form, taking seven wickets in four Vijay Hazare matches.
A BCCI insider recently claimed that
selectors are keeping an eye on Shami, but the big question is, will it convert into a call-up?
Meanwhile, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav are expected to be the main bowlers for India.
The squad would most likely be picked on 3 or 4 January after a virtual meeting.
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