The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced a 15-man squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, with Shreyas Iyer returning as vice-captain—subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE). The series will be played in Vadodara (January 11), Rajkot (January 14), and Indore (January 18), with Shubman Gill leading the side.

Shreyas Iyer’s return conditional on fitness clearance

Shreyas, who was hospitalized during the ODI series in Australia in November for spleen laceration, will need to prove his match fitness in the Vijay Hazare Trophy this month to receive clearance from the CoE.

“Shreyas Iyer’s availability is subject to fitness clearance from BCCI COE,” the BCCI said in the squad release.

The 30-year-old has been undergoing rehabilitation at the CoE in Bengaluru and recently resumed batting and light training. If cleared, he will add crucial experience and solidity to India’s middle order as they continue preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Rishabh Pant included; Mohammed Shami snubbed again

Contrary to earlier speculation that suggested he might be left out, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been included in the squad. Pant recently struck an unbeaten 67 off 37 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi, showcasing his return to form and fitness.

However, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami could not get the selectors’ nod despite his impressive outings in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he has been bowling with rhythm and picking up wickets regularly. Shami has been working his way back to full fitness after a long injury layoff, but the selectors appear to be taking a cautious approach to his workload management.

Mohammed Siraj returns; Hardik Pandya excluded

Star pacer Mohammed Siraj returns to the ODI setup after missing the home series against South Africa last month. Siraj’s inclusion strengthens India’s pace attack alongside Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna.

However, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was not cleared by the CoE to bowl 10 overs in a match, and therefore the selectors did not include him in the squad. The BCCI is managing his workload ahead of the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7.

India ODI squad for New Zealand series

Captain: Shubman Gill

Vice-captain: Shreyas Iyer (subject to fitness clearance)

Squad: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC; subject to fitness clearance), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal