Iyer and Gill are back in Team India—but what really changed? Discover the key reasons behind their comeback, selection strategy shifts, recent performances, and what their return means for India’s squad balance and upcoming matches.
Both players missed recent action due to injuries – Gill sat out the South Africa ODIs with a neck spasm, while Iyer has been recovering from a spleen injury since October. Their return means some big shifts in team strategy and leadership roles.
We’ll break down the key personnel returns that are reshaping India’s batting order and captaincy structure. You’ll also get the full picture on squad changes and strategic decisions that saw three players make way for the returning stars. Finally, we’ll cover the injury recovery and fitness protocols both players went through to earn their spots back, plus what this means for the upcoming New Zealand series.
Shubman Gill has officially returned to lead India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand, marking his comeback after missing the South Africa ODI series due to a neck spasm. The young captain successfully regained his fitness during the T20I series against South Africa, demonstrating his readiness to resume leadership responsibilities.
Shreyas Iyer named vice-captain pending fitness clearance
Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as vice-captain for the series, though his participation remains contingent on receiving final fitness clearance. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj makes his return to the 15-man ODI squad after his last appearance during India’s tour of Australia, strengthening the bowling attack for the challenging series ahead.
Three players replaced from South Africa series squad
The Indian ODI squad has undergone minimal but strategic changes following their successful 2-1 series victory over South Africa. Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Mohammed Siraj have been brought back into the fold, replacing Tilak Varma, Dhruv Jurel, and Ruturaj Gaikwad respectively. These three alterations represent the only modifications to the winning combination that delivered against the Proteas.
Hardik Pandya rested for workload management ahead of T20 World Cup
Now that we have covered the personnel changes, Hardik Pandya’s absence from the squad reflects India’s strategic planning for the upcoming T20 World Cup beginning February 7. The all-rounder has been deliberately rested as part of comprehensive workload management protocols. The BCCI has confirmed that Pandya has not yet received clearance from the Centre of Excellence to bowl his full quota of 10 overs in ODI cricket, significantly impacting his selection prospects and the team’s bowling strategy.
Shubman Gill’s return to the ODI squad follows his recovery from a neck spasm suffered during the Kolkata Test. The young batsman has already demonstrated his fitness by successfully returning to T20I action against South Africa, indicating his readiness for competitive cricket.
Iyer’s spleen injury rehabilitation process
Shreyas Iyer’s comeback marks the end of an extended rehabilitation period following a spleen injury sustained during Australia’s tour. Having not played competitive cricket since October 2025, Iyer underwent rigorous medical protocols. As part of his return-to-play process, he participated in a practice game on January 2 at Bengaluru’s Centre for Excellence, batting pain-free with no visible discomfort. He’s scheduled to feature for Mumbai against Himachal Pradesh on January 6, completing his gradual reintegration into competitive cricket.
Series Details and Squad Composition: Iyer and Gill Are Back in Team India
The upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand follows a well-structured schedule across multiple venues. The series commences on January 11 in Vadodara, continues with the second ODI on January 14 in Rajkot, and concludes with the final match on January 18 in Indore.
Complete 15-man Squad Breakdown by Role: Iyer and Gill Are Back in Team India
India’s 15-man ODI squad features Shubman Gill as captain with Shreyas Iyer as vice-captain, subject to fitness clearance. The batting lineup includes Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, while wicket-keeping duties are shared between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. The bowling attack comprises Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja, with Nitish Kumar Reddy providing all-round capabilities.
With the series beginning January 11 in Vadodara, India appears well-positioned to capitalize on this refreshed lineup. The combination of experienced leadership, recovered key players, and strategic rotation policies sets a promising foundation not just for the New Zealand series, but also for the crucial T20 World Cup preparations ahead. The successful integration of these returning players will be crucial as India looks to maintain their recent ODI momentum.