India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs: Shreyas Iyer returns as vice-captain; Pandya, Bumrah rested for T20 WC

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: Before signing off, one last look at the team. The leadership core of Gill as captain and Iyer as vice-captain retur. Heavy on the pacers, with as many as five options – but surprisingly only three spinners. Rishabh Pant the backup wicketkeeper, Yashasvi Jaiswal the backup top order batter.

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

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: In the build up to the squad announcement, quite a few reports claimed Rishabh Pant would be ousted due to some disappointment with his approach to white-ball cricket. But while Tests remain his bread and butter, there is certainly something that has convinced the selectors to maintain their support of him. Needs some big performances if he's called upon, though.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: Here is India's full squad with all the ins and outs, a look at who makes the cut and who misses out.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: Disappointing for Padikkal given his red-hot form and Gaikwad with his maiden ODI century vs South Africa last time out, neither manage to scrape their way into the squad. Yashasvi Jaiswal continues to be the long-term option as the backup opener, spending time in this white ball team to build his exposure before he is eventually asked to take over down the line.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: Nitish Kumar Reddy also retains his place in the squad as the like-for-like Hardik Pandya backup, but it's interesting to see what his role would look like given that the seam corps is so loaded this time around. He has been bowling quite a bit for Andhra – 10 overs today, taking two wickets but conceding 65 runs. Has been opening the bowling for the team he captains too. What exactly will his role look like – is he the frontrunner for the number 6 role or will Jadeja/Washington be preferred, Harshit Rana to come in later on?

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: On the spin front, one specialist and two all-rounders. Kuldeep Yadav will continue to be India's ODI MVP, and will be given assistance by Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. No space for Axar, who might be increasinly seen as a T20I specialist given his vice-captaincy in that format.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: A snippet from BCCI's statement with regards to Hardik Pandya's health: he is ready for action in ODIs, hence his participation in the VHT, but as expected it is a workload concern:

“Hardik Pandya has not been cleared by the BCCI COE to bowl 10 overs in a match and considering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to follow, his workload is being managed.”

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: The big news is certainly that Shreyas Iyer has been passed fit to participate, but he does carry the subject to fitness tagline in the official BCCI statement regarding the team. But given he is in the 15 and has been named vice-captain, it's good news for those wishing for his quick return.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: As expected, India's T20I x-factors earn a rest, but Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav do retain their place. Trying to remain as full-strength as possible.

Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna both involved, but as is Mohammed Siraj – and no Mohammed Shami!

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates:

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

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: BCCI have announced the squad for the series – much to break down!

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: Contributions all across in both fields by Mohammed Shami in his bid to be considered for the ODI squad. FInished things off for Bengal by hammering 3 fours and a six and now takes two wickets too.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: Good day out for some of the T20I players. Sanju Samson might not be in the picture for ODI cricket as a top order wicketkeeping option, but his century is good news for his form heading into the T20Is. Dismissed on 101(95), but sets Kerala on their way to chasing 312 vs Jharkhand.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: As a backup wicketkeeper option, there is a three-way battle to decide who occupies to slot as KL Rahul's deputy. Jurel is the form player, Kishan has been called up the T20Is and played that finishing role, but Pant is the high-ceiling incumbent. Who has the best odds of making it?

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: Arshdeep Singh also likely to be rested for the ODIs, you feel, but ensures that he keeps himself in the conversation with a clinical 5-fer as Punjab bowled out Sikkim for just 75.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: Two national selectors including chief selector Ajit Agarkar are in attendance for the Mumbai-Maharashtra match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Gaikwad and Jaiswal the key figures up for debate involved in that game – and one has certainly had the better of it today.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: The white-ball series in Bangladesh has been put on hold for the time being given the political tumult and violence at the moment. Already a big call being made with Mustafizur Rahman, the only Tigers player in the IPL, being barred from the tournament – and this only adding on to that.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: The importance of the bilateral ODI series has already been on the wane, with most being competed in 3 matches, and not very often. Tournament cricket and T20I series is where it is at now. Is the solution to stock up on tri- and quadri-lateral series instead? Here is what a former Indian international thinks.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: Not the innings Yashasvi Jaiswal wanted from this outing leading up to the series. Disappointing from him – out for just 3 chasing 367 against Maharashtra. On a day where Padikkal has shined, not the result he wanted.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: While he is likely to be rested for their series, Hardik Pandya provides the sort of knock that Indian fans love to see from him. Seems to be finding that reliable power-stroke again. Blasts 133 off 92 deliveries down the order for Baroda – not likely to play these ODIs, but excellent news for India's T20I outfit. 11 sixes in his knock.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: A handful of players who have plenty of experience – captain Bracewell, Conway, Mitchell, Nicholls, and Phillips will be the core. Foulkes and Jamieson could be the seam backbone, but otherwise, a lot of players getting a fresh taste of the subcontinent. Plenrty of talent in store though, and the Kiwis are always competitive.

Michael Bracewell (c), Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay (wk), Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Will Young

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: In the pace bowling department, Arshdeep and Bumrah might be rest, Nitish Kumar Reddy might be dropped for one of the extra batters, but Prasidh and Rana should be fairly safe. This pair of bowlers are currently the frontunners in terms of players duking it out for that third seamer role when it comes to next year's South African World Cup.

But the introduction of Mohammed Shami and a potential call back up for Mohammed Siraj could really put the cat amongst the pigeons. If both are to be included, one of Harshit and Prasidh will likely need to be dropped. What's the call there?

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: Nearly 20 years into their careers as part of the white-ball teams, and they remain such integral parts of this ODI unit. Even in a game that evolves as constantly as cricket, the innate understanding of batting in a 50 over format that Kohli and Rohit possess makes them worth their weight in gold to the Indian team. They are both in terrific runs of form at the minute, and heading into 2026, will have intentions of continuing that. Kohli in particular hunting down the centuries, and looking a lot more like his old self. Imperious, in a word.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: It does present an interesting quandary for the BCCI selectors. They will want to reward Padikkal's run in the one-day tournament after the focus they have placed on the domestic games, but it means they might have to sacrifice either Gaikwad – still in form – or Jaiswal, who they heavily back as the long-term opening successor to Rohit Sharma. All this only if Shreyas Iyer indeed returns, but it is certainly a conundrum. After that, cracking the playing XI itself is a new problem altogether.

India squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs LIVE Updates: Gaikwad ensuring he does his part too. Batting at number 3, scores a quickfire 66 to make his case as an attacking middle order option as well. Prithvi Shaw with another half-century – decent season for him thus far – and Arshin Kulkarni impressing in that match against Mumbai with a century.

Big chase on for Mumbai; Yashasvi Jaiswal will be in action for them soon. Eye on that as well.