India Squad for New Zealand ODI Series Announcement Live Updates: India's home season will gather momentum with a full-fledged limited-overs series against
New Zealand, beginning on January 11.
The tour, stretching until January 31, will feature eight matches in total, comprising three One-Day Internationals followed by five Twenty20 Internationals. With major tournaments on the horizon and key players expected to return, the series is poised to play a decisive role in India's white-ball planning.
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The ODI leg, in particular, carries added intrigue. Several senior players are likely to rejoin the 50-over setup, marking a shift from the experimentation seen in recent months. Much of the spotlight is expected to fall on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are tipped to make their comeback to the ODI side after missing the South Africa series. Their return would bring experience and leadership to a squad that has been in transition, especially with the long-term roadmap toward global events in mind.
Preparations for the ODI series are set to begin early, with the Indian squad expected to assemble in Vadodara on January 7. The city will also host the opening ODI on January 11, before the action moves to Rajkot for the second match on January 14. The final ODI will be played in Indore on January 18, rounding off the 50-over segment of the tour.
Once the ODIs conclude, focus will shift sharply to the shorter format. The five-match T20I series is expected to serve as the final testing ground for the Indian team ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the T20 side will look to fine-tune combinations, assess form, and identify the best balance before entering the global tournament as defending champions.
New Zealand's presence adds competitive value to the series, given their consistent performances across formats in recent years. Facing a strong opponent at home should offer India a realistic assessment of their readiness, especially in high-pressure scenarios.
As per reports, the squads for the series are likely to be announced on January 3. With senior stars returning in ODIs and crucial decisions pending in T20Is, the upcoming New Zealand series is shaping up to be a pivotal checkpoint in India's white-ball journey.
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