BCCI set to announce India’s ODI squad vs New Zealand on THIS date; will Mohammed Shami be picked?
The BCCI is set to announce India’s ODI squad for the upcoming New Zealand series on a fixed date as the selectors weigh key selection decisions. While the senior pacers are under workload, the spotlight is on whether Mohammed Shami will be recalled to the national team.
As India welcomes 2026, cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the first major squad announcement of the year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce the ODI squad for the home series against New Zealand on Saturday, January 3.
According to reports in The Times of India, senior selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar is likely to announce the team on January 3, providing much-needed clarity to the Indian setup ahead of this important series.
“The national selection committee, chaired by (former India pacer) Ajit Agarkar, will hold an online meeting on January 3 to select the squad,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
The three-match series, which begins January 11 in Vadodara, serves as an important starting point for the Men in Blue’s 2026 schedule. While the T20I squad is already known, mirroring the group heading into the T20 World Cup in February, the ODI group remains the subject of intense debate, especially over the return of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami.
The Shami Factor: Is He Back?
Mohammed Shami has not played for the national team since the Champions Trophy final in March 2025. After being sidelined for almost a year due to fitness concerns and a stint in domestic cricket to prove his game readiness, reports suggest that the 35-year-old is finally “back in the reckoning”.
Shami has performed impressively for Bengal in the current Vijay Hazare Trophy, taking 8 wickets in just 4 matches. While Jasprit Bumrah is expected to be rested to manage his workload ahead of the T20 World Cup, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is expected to field Shami to spearhead the predominantly young pace attack, which also includes Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.
Basic Election Speech Topics
While Shami’s return is making headlines, some other points are also under scrutiny:
Captaincy and Openers: Shubman Gill, who missed the last South Africa ODIs due to injury, is set to return and lead the team. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will probably accompany him at the top.
Wicketkeeper’s Dilemma: The battle for the second wicketkeeper’s spot is between Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel, with KL Rahul being the primary choice. Kishan’s explosive domestic form (including a 39-ball century) makes him a leader.
Injury Concerns: While Shreyas Iyer awaits medical clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA), his inclusion in the squad remains in doubt.
Series Program
The ODI leg of the New Zealand tour will be played at the following venues:
1st ODI: January 11 – Vadodara
2nd ODI: January 14 – Rajkot
3rd ODI: January 18 – Indore
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