IND vs NZ ODIs: What If Shreyas Iyer Is Not Fully Fit? Report Says CSK Star Will Come In As Replacement

India's 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand was unveiled on Saturday (January 3), with Shreyas Iyer named as vice-captain. However, the selection came with a caveat,

as the board confirmed that the Mumbai batter's inclusion is dependent on him receiving fitness clearance.

Iyer has been out of competitive action since October 25, 2025, after sustaining an injury while fielding during an ODI against Australia in Sydney. Since then, the middle-order mainstay has been on the recovery trail, and the selectors are keen to assess his readiness before he rejoins the national side.

To prove his match fitness, Iyer is scheduled to turn out for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He is set to feature in their Elite Group C fixture against Himachal Pradesh in Jaipur on Tuesday (January 6). Should he come through that match without any concerns, Iyer will be flown to Vadodara immediately to link up with the Indian squad ahead of the opening ODI on January 11. If the medical team remains unconvinced, he could be asked to play one more domestic game - Mumbai's next match against Punjab on January 8 - before a final call is taken.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, the selectors have already identified a contingency plan in case Iyer does not receive the green light. "In the unlikely event of Iyer not getting clearance, the selectors will draft Ruturaj Gaikwad into the squad. But the chances of that are very remote," the report stated.

Gaikwad, who is currently captaining Maharashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, has been in fine form in the ongoing domestic season. In his last two matches, he struck 124 against Uttarakhand and followed it up with a fluent 66 against Mumbai, both games being played in Jaipur. Despite his consistency, the right-handed batter was surprisingly left out of the original ODI squad.

The Chennai Super Kings opener has also shown his adaptability at the international level. During India's ODI series against South Africa in November-December 2025, Gaikwad batted at No. 4 in the first two matches, scoring 8 and 105 respectively. His century in the second ODI was his most recent international appearance.

For now, the focus remains on Iyer's fitness, but with Gaikwad in strong domestic form, the selectors have a ready and reliable option should they be forced into a late change.