The opening of the year 2026 shall be commemorated in a most delightful manner as Team India gets ready to welcome New Zealand for the series of high-profile white-ball matches. The itinerary consists of three ODIs and five T20Is.
The Indian T20I squad has been declared, and it remains the same as that of the T20 World Cup 2026, but the ODI team has not yet been made public.
It is reported that the BCCI selection committee lead by Ajit Agarkar will reveal the 15-member ODI squad on January 3.
One of the main topics of discussion before the announcement of the squad is the role of vice-captain in the team.
If one thinks of Shreyas Iyer, India’s present ODI vice-captain, who has already been forced to deal with the problem of full match fitness. The selectors, perhaps, will have no choice but to look for new leadership options that could be not only for the New Zealand series, but also considering the future
Shreyas Iyer’s Fitness Troubles and His Uncertain Comeback
Since October 25, 2025, Shreyas Iyer has been out of action after being the victim of a serious injury during the third ODI of India vs Australia.
Iyer lost his balance and fell hard on his rib cage while making an attempt to catch a ball near the third-man boundary. Although he completed the catch, he was obviously in pain and had to be helped off the ground.
He was later diagnosed with internal bleeding and splenic injury, which completely ruled him out of cricket for quite a long time.
A steady recovery has been his case since he reported to the BCCI’s COE in Bengaluru on December 25.
Now, in a positive turn of events, Shreyas Iyer’s mandatory two match-simulation sessions are approaching his turn. The first session was held on January 2, and the second one is set for January 5.
But, the ODI squad might be revealed on January 3, so the time may not be advantageous to Iyer. The selectors might go for players who are already completely match-ready, thus leaving the door open for other vice-captaincy options.