The Indian team is going to play a 3-match ODI series against New Zealand next year. Team India will be seen in action from January 11 after a long break of 21 days, for which the fans are eagerly waiting. There is also a 5-match T20 series to be held between India and New Zealand before the T20 World Cup. The T20 team has been announced. The team that will play in the T20 series against New Zealand will also participate in the T20 World Cup.

There have been reports that the ODI team selection may take place on January 3 or 4. There may be some changes in the team that was selected in the last ODI series against South Africa. There is T20 World Cup ahead. In such a situation, players who are at risk of injury can be given rest from the ODI series. The return of captain Shubman Gill, who was out of the ODI series against South Africa due to injury, is considered certain. He was injured again recently.

Bumrah’s return is not possible

Star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is away from the ODI format since the 2023 World Cup final. He has given priority to playing only Test and T20 cricket for Team India. He could not play in the Champions Trophy due to injury.

The next ODI World Cup is almost two years away, considering that his chances of returning to this format are very slim. Besides, Bumrah also has to play T20 World Cup after a few days. Therefore he may again be kept away from the ODI format. There is talk of keeping all-rounder Hardik Pandya out of the ODI team in view of the T20 World Cup.

There is confusion over whether left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh will be kept in the ODI team or he will also be rested. Prasidh Krishna was very expensive against South Africa. If Arshdeep and Prasidh are not selected then the doors may open for both Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami.

Siraj’s selection is certain, suspense on Shami

Team India is not going to play any test match for the next 6 months. In such a situation, there is a strong possibility of Siraj being selected. There is suspense on Shami because there are still question marks on his fitness. This 35 year old fast bowler is constantly sweating in domestic cricket but the selectors remain doubtful about his fitness.

Shami is currently playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and has bowled 19 overs in two matches. He has shown his fitness, now it remains to be seen whether the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar brings him in the ODI team or not.

Pant-Jurel will be on leave

The selection of Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel for the South Africa series when KL Rahul was in the ODI team as wicketkeeper was surprising. Both these wicketkeeper batsmen may be left out of the New Zealand series. Ishan Kishan, who is in explosive form, can be kept in place of Pant.

Ruturaj Gaikwad will retain his place in the middle order. Even if Shreyas Iyer remains fit and available for selection, there is little possibility of Rituraj being dropped. Even if Rituraj may not be able to make a place in the playing XI with the arrival of Shreyas, he can definitely be kept in the squad.

India’s probable squad for ODI series against New Zealand: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer/Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.