In a massive development prior to the upcoming home series against New Zealand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declared that Shubman Gill is set to come back as India’s One Day International (ODI) captain with Shreyas Iyer being named as his deputy (subject to fitness). The decision was made with India preparing to take on the Black Caps in a three-match One Day International (ODI) series that will be played from January 11, 2026 — an important period ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
A Strategic Leadership Bet by India
The BCCI reappointing Shubman Gill as the ODI captain suggests that the Indian cricket board is once again serious about creating a steady leadership core. Shubman Gill, who was injured during the ODI series against South Africa and did not play the recent one-day games for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, is back to lead Tamil Nadu with support of selectors and team management. His credentials as a leader have only escalated over the last year, with good contributions with the bat and cool captaincy at various key moments.
Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer being named the deputy to Kohli suggests they rate him and his experience highly as a leader. Iyer appears to be on the verge of a comeback after suffering a major spleen injury in October. But his inclusion and vice-captaincy is dependent on getting final fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru.
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Background: India vs New Zealand ODI Series
New Zealand are set to play the ODI series at three venues in India:
- 1st ODI – January 11 (at Vadodara)
- 2nd ODI – January 14 (Rajkot)
- 3rd ODI – January 18 (Indore)
These games are a good opportunity for India to try and figure out combinations, stiffen its balance as well as steadier established and emerging hands. The series also gives India an opportunity to test the leadership waters in light of a hectic international calendar, especially with the T20 World Cup coming up.
Why Shubman Gill’s Return Matters
Proven Batting Prowess
Shubman Gill has become one of India’s most reliable batters in all formats. The 21-year-old, known for his classical strokeplay and ability to anchor innings, fortifies India’s top-order in white-ball cricket — an area of concern since some time.
It has also been demonstrated in previous innings to show just how Shubman Gill can adapt himself on pitches and conditions. His cool temperament under pressure situations too has been lauded by former cricketers and cricket experts. Also acting as captain of the ODI team against a good NZ bowling attack is an extra leadership element to his job.
Leadership Beyond Youth
And Shubman Gill had been in domestic and franchise cricket long before he assumed ODI responsibilities. His cool head, tactical smarts and the esteem in which senior players hold him make him a ready-made candidate to guide the team through that process of change. The selectors’ trust in Shubman Gill does signal the trust they have in continuity and stability at top.
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Shreyas Iyer’s Vice-Captaincy Can Do Wonders for Team India
Shreyas Iyer’s appointment as vice-captain — when fully recovered — provides solidity to India’s leadership group. Hailed for his attacking batting and astute cricketing brain, Iyer’s leadership style is different from that of Shubman Gill but only adds more depth to the overall picture.
Resilience After Injury
Iyer has been sidelined due to a spleen injury that he sustained during India’s tour of Australia. His rehabilitation has been monitored closely by all concerned and his possible return to the international cricket would bring a huge sigh of relief for fans as well as experts. With clearance, not only will the Indian batting line-up bolstered but Iyer as V-C support too.
Balance in the Middle Order
A Middle-order batter Iyer can hold the reigns of the innings and at times accelerate, it offers balance and flexibility. Despite all that, Clarke remains someone who can read the game and handle pressure, making him an excellent leader beyond his on-field skills.
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Key Members of the ODI Squad
The Indian ODI squad announced for the series carries a blend of youth and experience along with the leadership combo:
Rohit Sharma The senior batter is the most capped player, going by matches played.
- Virat Kohli – One of India’s best ever pubs.
- KL Rahul – Keeper-batter and ex stand-in skipper
- Rishabh Pant – Reserve wicket-keeper and explosive hitter
- Ravindra Jadeja & Washington Sundar – All-rounder (Spin) choices You can select them in your team if you want to.
- Fast bowling resources Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana
- Kuldeep Yadav & Nitish Kumar Reddy – The mystery and the cutting bowler.
And the mix of players that we have is still very strong and gives us a great, solid batting line-up; options when it comes to our bowling attack, and also tactical sides of how you want to play certain games – guys who can adapt in different conditions.
Fitness, Workload, and Squad Strategy
Managing Player Fitness
Cricket is set to have a chock-a-block calendar and the BCCI has been tactical when it comes to managing workload. For this ODI series, senior players including Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested – a decision taken keeping in mind the workload on the crop of players for big-ticket events like the T20 World Cup.
And the same with Shreyas Iyer, It’s fitness clearance so we have to make sure he is absolutely ready in all aspects; not just ready physically but how long he has taken off field work. This conservative approach underscores the board’s emphasis on player welfare for the long term.
India’s Broader Goals for 2026
The New Zealand ODI series is part of India’s plan to feel white-ball match-space ahead of important ICC tournaments. With the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup looming, every game is a valuable part of a player’s and team leadership development.
It also helps the home team test leadership pairings, batting and bowling combinations, match-winning choices under competitive conditions — aspects that are invaluable in tournaments where the stakes are high.
Fan Expectations and Cricket Commentary
The return of Shubman Gill and hoped-for comeback of Iyer has been greeted with enthusiasm by fans around India. So, Indian cricket has to find a balance between youth and experience if they want to continue dominating white-ball circuit around the world in the next few years,” cricket experts reiterate. With Shubman Gill serenity at the top of the order and Iyer’s combative posture in the middle-order, this Indian ODI team looks to be a well-balanced squad for what is lying ahead.
What to Watch in the Series
Below are some of the storylines to follow over the three ODIs:
- Shubman Gill strategies as a captain and how he sets up his batting order.
- Iyer’s fitness if he is fit for the game.
- Setting the template by senior batters such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
- Talented newcomer burst on world scene
- Tactics to counter a competitive New Zealand attack
All these stories will provide a backdrop to India’s preparation for coming white-ball assignments, including the rescheduled T20 World Cup later this year.
Conclusion
Appointment of Shubman Gill as an ODI captain with Shreyas Iyer as his deputy is a significant moment in the cricketing arena of India. Both captains can be expected to inject fresh energy and strategic clarity into the ODI Plans of India and Australia respectively, making it an exciting cricket for fans while being a key step in India’s preparation towards global events.
When India walk onto the field from January 11, cricket fans worldwide will follow closely — willing the leadership pair to drive the Men in Blue to exciting performances and more glory.
