Overview:
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11. Shubman Gill is the captain, while Shreyas Iyer has also returned to the team. However, his participation is subject to fitness clearance.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are also part of the team. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya was not considered to manage his workload.
“Hardik Pandya hasn’t been cleared by the COE to bowl 10 overs in a match, and considering the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, his workload is being managed,” BCCI said in a release.
With Hardik not in the side, Nitish Kumar Reddy has retained his place. Former India opener Kris Srikkanth has questioned his selection. Reddy has played 10 Tests, scoring 396 runs and taking 8 wickets. He has been a part of two ODIs, amassing 27 runs. In four T20Is, Reddy has accumulated 90 runs and dismissed three batters.
“I am not sure what he has done. He hasn’t looked like an all-rounder. He will not get the ball as teams will smash him everywhere. I don’t understand the logic. He can’t be a replacement for Hardik Pandya. Hardik can play in the Playing XI as a bowler or a batter,” he added.
“Nitish can’t fit as a pure bowler. He can’t bowl three or four overs on the trot. Reddy can’t bowl five or six overs. There is no scope,” he concluded.
India’s squad for ODIs vs New Zealand: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (Vice-captain), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal.