India will employ a split‑captaincy model for the five‑match ODI series versus New Zealand, handing Shubman Gill the reins for the opening three fixtures before Shreyas Iyer assumes command for the last two. The series is set to run from 4 November to 15 November 2026, a move aimed at balancing player workload ahead of India’s upcoming Test tour.
Gill will captain the side in the first three ODIs hosted at Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton, with Iyer as his deputy. For the fourth and fifth games in Mount Maunganui, Iyer will take over as captain while Ishan Kishan serves as vice‑captain.
The leadership shift is chiefly driven by India’s impending two‑Test series against New Zealand, kicking off on 19 November in Wellington. Given the tight schedule between the ODI and Test engagements, the arrangement lets Gill concentrate on his red‑ball preparations.
KL Rahul is named wicket‑keeper for the initial three ODIs, with Ishan Kishan appearing in both line‑ups. Kumar Kushagra secures a spot in the final two matches, alongside Tilak Varma and Auqib Nabi.
Experience and Workload Management
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are retained in both squads, bringing valuable experience throughout the series. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will handle the spin department, while Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh spearhead the pace attack.
Anshul Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna are included in the opening lineup but dropped for the final two ODIs, whereas Jasprit Bumrah does not feature in the ODI squad at all. Ravindra Jadeja is also left out of both ODI groups, and Hardik Pandya remains unavailable because of injury.
India ODI Squad for First Three Matches
The squad for the first three ODIs comprises Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice‑captain), KL Rahul (wicket‑keeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (wicket‑keeper), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav.
Prasidh Krishna’s inclusion hinges on receiving fitness clearance.
India ODI Squad for 4th & 5th ODIs
The lineup for the fourth and fifth ODIs features Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicket‑keeper and vice‑captain), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wicket‑keeper), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav.