IND vs NZ: Iyer, Pant, Siraj In; Pandya-Bumrah Out- BCCI Announces Squad For New Zealand ODI Series

IND vs NZ: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled India's squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, marking the official start of preparations for a packed

white-ball calendar.

The series will be part of a broader bilateral contest that also includes five T20 Internationals between the two sides.

Shubman Gill has been entrusted with the captaincy for the ODI leg, while senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli make their return to the 50-over setup. The selection reflects a blend of experience and youth, with the team management clearly keeping an eye on workload management and player fitness ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled next month.

One of the major talking points from the announcement is the absence of Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder has been left out as he is yet to receive clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence to bowl his full quota of 10 overs in an ODI. With the T20 World Cup looming, the selectors have opted not to risk Pandya, preferring to ensure he is fully fit for the marquee event. Jasprit Bumrah is another notable omission, with the pace spearhead seemingly rested as part of a workload management plan.

Shreyas Iyer has been named vice-captain for the series, though his participation remains subject to fitness approval. The middle-order batter has been sidelined since sustaining a rib injury during the ODI series against Australia earlier this year. His inclusion in the squad suggests optimism around his recovery, but a final call will be taken closer to the series.

The squad also features several established names, including KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj, all of whom are expected to play key roles. There were rumours that Pant will miss out but the selectors have shown faith. Young fast bowler Harshit Rana continues to earn the selectors' trust, while the overall composition of the squad indicates a strong emphasis on balance and depth.

India and New Zealand are set to lock horns in three ODIs, followed by five T20Is, making it a crucial phase for both teams ahead of major global tournaments. With senior players returning, emerging talents getting opportunities, and a few big names rested ahead of the T20 World Cup, the ODI series promises to offer valuable insights into India's white-ball plans moving forward.

India's ODI squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal.