The next ODI series of the Indian cricket team is against New Zealand, the first match of which will be played on 11 January. BCCI announced the ODI team on Saturday, in which captain Shubhman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer have returned. However, despite scoring a century in the last match, Ruturaj Gaikwad did not get a place, due to which some fans on social media are criticizing Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar and Coach Gautam Gambhir.

Ruturaj Gaikwad had scored 105 runs in the second ODI played against South Africa in Raipur, but he did not bat in the third match of the series. Gaikwad played a brilliant inning of 124 runs against Uttarakhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on 31 December, despite being dropped from the ODI team against New Zealand.

What did Ravichandran Ashwin write?

After the announcement of the ODI team against New Zealand, former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin made a post on X. He posted a photo of Rituraj Gaikwad and hashtagged his name, writing, “No matter how you feel. Get up, get ready, wear pads, go to the field and never give up. It may be difficult to ignore, but such is the competition for a place in the Indian team.”

No matter how you feel.

Get up, dress up, pad up, show up and never give up.

It can be hard to miss but such is the competition for places in the Indian team. #RuturajGaikwad pic.twitter.com/A1taarpMdF

— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) January 3, 2026

Criticism is being received on social media

One user wrote, “BCCI is doing the same again! Recently dropped Ruturaj Gaikwad from the team despite his ODI century and excellent domestic form, only to make way for the returning players. Continuity? Merit? What is all this?”

BCCI at it again! Dropping Ruturaj Gaikwad after his recent ODI century and stellar domestic form, just to accommodate returning players.

Consistency? Merit? What’s that?

#BCCI #IndianCricket #RuturajGaikwad pic.twitter.com/OfUGhMy9Vf

— Shreya (@shreyagenai) January 3, 2026

Questions are also being raised on the selection of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar, while many fans are raising questions as to what does the performance and form in the domestic tournament mean? Many fans are angry at Mohammed Shami being ignored, who are asking questions to the selection committee on social media as to why he is being kept out to bring a player like him.

India’s ODI squad against New Zealand

Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal.

In the year 2026, the Indian team will play its first series with New Zealand. New Zealand’s tour of India will run from January 11 to January 31, during which three ODIs and five T20 matches will be played between the two teams. Team India has been announced for the T20 series against New Zealand, but the ODI squad has not been announced yet. Know here which players can get a chance in the ODI squad.

Gil’s back! Jaiswal OUT from playing eleven

ODI team captain Shubman Gill suffered a neck injury in the second Test against South Africa. Due to this reason he could not play the ODI series against South Africa. But now he may return in the series against New Zealand. Gill’s return will directly mean that even if Yashasvi Jaiswal is selected in the squad, he will sit out of the playing eleven, who played an unbeaten 116-run century against South Africa.

It is almost certain that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play in the series. Both are coming after scoring centuries for their respective teams in Vijay Hazare Trophy. KL Rahul will be the first choice wicketkeeper in the ODI team, while questions have arisen regarding the back-up wicketkeeper. According to media reports, Rishabh Pant will not get a place in the ODI team, Ishan Kishan may be given a chance. BCCI has recently included Kishan in the T20 World Cup squad.

Will Shreyas Iyer be able to make a comeback?

Nothing is clear yet about Shreyas Iyer, his selection in the ODI series against New Zealand will depend on his fitness. Iyer was injured while fielding during the ODI series against Australia. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah were rested for the South Africa ODI series, it is reported that they may be rested for the New Zealand series also. The reason for this could be to keep him completely fit for the T20 World Cup.

Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh can also be selected in the squad. Prasidh Krishna took 4 wickets in the last ODI against South Africa, but he proved to be very expensive in the entire series. It will be interesting to see whether Prasidh is able to secure his place or Mohammad Siraj is brought back.

India’s probable squad against New Zealand: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna