Despite the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup being just a month away, 50-over cricket is in the news thanks to the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT). BCCI’s mandate for every player not only soared the star power of the tournament, but it also helped the senior players get ready for an exciting ODI series that beckons against New Zealand. The likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who will once again don the India blue, featured in a couple of games, while Shreyas Iyer proved his fitness after a blazing fifty while leading Mumbai.
The opening ODI of the three-match series starts at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on January 11. It will be a historic affair for the city as it hosts the first men’s ODI ever, with BCCI’s top brass likely to attend the match on Sunday. With that in mind, let us look at India’s strongest playing XI for the first one-dayer.
Captain Shubman Gill returns; no Jaiswal
It is quite a harsh fact that Yashasvi Jaiswal won’t be able to find a place in the starting lineup despite scoring a century in his last appearance. In a must-win decider against South Africa, Jaiswal made an unbeaten ton, his first in ODIs. But it came when Shubman Gill missed the series due to an injury. Now, Gill is back at the helm and will go right back in to open alongside Rohit Sharma.
While some can question Gill’s form, this is his best format. Since 2022, no other batter has scored more ODI runs than Gill’s 2,769, which he has scored at 58.91. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has been in tremendous form, creating six-hitting history last month. He played the Vijay Hazare Trophy and smashed a 150 for Mumbai. At this is, of course, Virat Kohli, the major attraction for fans in Gujarat.
Like Rohit, he played a couple of VHT games for Delhi and hammered 131 and 77. The current World No. 1 ODI batter will be the biggest threat to New Zealand considering his mind-boggling form. Against South Africa, he bludgeoned two consecutive hundreds and an unbeaten 65.
Shreyas Iyer returns; Nitish Reddy vs Sundar
Another familiar face that returns to the team is Shreyas Iyer. He has been a revelation in the ODI format, ending India’s long wait for a solid No. 4. He remains the only middle-order batter to operate at an average of above 50 and at an SR of more than 100 in the last few years. Technically, he was India’s trump card in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 win and in the run to the final of the ODI World Cup 2023.
Iyer endured a spleen injury in Australia which ruled him out of any action for more than two months. Thankfully, he has now passed BCCI’s fitness tests and with two VHT matches under him this season, Iyer is more than ready to get his slot back. Feel for Ruturaj Gaikwad, however, who misses out due to Iyer’s comeback.
The only point of discussion between two players could be between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Under the current management, KL Rahul has continued to bat at number six. This means either Sundar or Reddy will bat ahead of him. Sundar got two games against South Africa but managed just 13 and 1 in two innings. Meanwhile, Reddy didn’t get a chance at all. With the Kotambi Stadium hosting it’s first Men’s match, the wicket is expected to be a truer one. Also, India would want to groom Reddy in the Hardik Pandya mold and hence should be given a chance.
India Predicted Playing XI for 1st ODI vs New Zealand
- Shubman Gill
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- KL Rahul
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Harshit Rana
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Mohammed Siraj
- Bench: Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal
Mohammed Siraj has a point to prove
Coming to the second half of the team, Ravindra Jadeja will be the second all-rounder in the team. He comes on the back off a fifty for Saurashtra in the last league game of VHT. He keeps Axar Patel out of the team and would need a good series to keep himself ahead in the race.
Another spinner in the team should be Kuldeep Yadav, who remains a wicket-taking weapon. Since 2022, no other Indian bowler has more wickets than Kuldeep’s 84. Just under him is Mohammed Siraj with 73 wickets. With India playing the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai, Siraj wasn’t considered and since then, his ODI journey has taken a backseat. Siraj made his ODI comeback in Australia after more than a year but didn’t do much. This series provides him a golden chance to prove a point.
Meanwhile, his pace partners remain Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, two players who need to be in fine form come the T20 World Cup 2026. Both Arshdeep and Harshit did well in the VHT games they played and will be exciting prospects against New Zealand.
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