• Source:JND

IND vs NZ: The year 2026 is all set to start on a high note as India will lock horns with New Zealand for a white-ball series. The series will start with three ODIs, and then both teams will play a five-match T20I series.

The BCCI had already revealed the T20I team, and it's the same as the T20 World Cup 2026 team, but hasn't revealed the ODI team yet.

As per reports, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee will be revealing the ODI team on Saturday.

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The highlight of this squad announcement is who will be made the vice-captain of this ODI team.

Since Shreyas Iyer, who is India's ODI vice-captain, is trying to regain full match fitness, it will force the selectors to look for other options, not just for this series but also in the future.

Shreyas Iyer’s Injury and Uncertain Return

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Shreyas Iyer has stayed out of action since October last year, when he sustained a near-fatal injury in the third ODI against Australia.

He was trying to take the catch near the third-man boundary, and that's where Shreyas lost his balance when he was running backwards and fell on his rib cage. He did take the catch, and he was seen reeling in pain and leaving the field.

The scans showed that there was internal bleeding and that he had damaged his spleen and thus had to stay out of competitive cricket for a long time.

He reached BCCI's COE in Bengaluru last month and began his rehab.

In a recent development, Shreyas Iyer is required to complete two match-simulation sessions. The first session took place on January 2, while the second is scheduled for January 5.

However, with the ODI squad likely to be announced on January 3, the timing may not work in Iyer's favour. Selectors could prefer players who are already fully match-ready, which opens the door for other vice-captaincy options.

KL Rahul

KL Rahul is one of the strongest candidates to take over the vice-captaincy role if Iyer is unavailable. He has plenty of leadership experience, having previously served as India's vice-captain and even captained the team in several series across formats.

In ODIs, KL Rahul has been a reliable middle-order batter, often playing the role of a stabiliser during pressure situations.

Recently, he also served as stand-in captain during an ODI series against South Africa when both captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer were unavailable due to injuries. This further strengthens his case as a dependable leadership option for the selectors.

Ravindra Jadeja

Another strong contender for the vice-captaincy role is Ravindra Jadeja. The experienced all-rounder has previously served as India's vice-captain in both ODIs and T20Is. Known for his consistency with both bat and ball, Jadeja brings balance and maturity to the team.

Jadeja was also appointed vice-captain of the Indian Test team for the West Indies series in late 2025, stepping in after Rishabh Pant was ruled out injured.

It is also important to note that Jadeja has briefly captained Chennai Super Kings during the IPL 2022 season; he later stepped down to focus on his performance.

Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad represents a more long-term leadership option. While he is not India's official ODI vice-captain, Gaikwad has served as vice-captain of the India A team, including during the recent series against South Africa A.

It is also worth noting that Gaikwad was appointed CSK's captain on March 21, 2024.

During the recent South Africa tour, he was added to the ODI squad as a replacement and made a strong impression by scoring a century at number four.

With Shubman Gill established as India’s ODI captain, the team management may look to groom a younger vice-captain who can grow into the role over time. In that context, Gaikwad’s name stands out.

 


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