5 players who could be dropped from India ODI squad for New Zealand series

Debashis Sarangi

India squad for NZ ODIs will be picked on Jan 3 or 4 [Source: AFP]India squad for NZ ODIs will be picked on Jan 3 or 4 [Source: AFP]

After securing an emphatic victory over South Africa, India are gearing up to face New Zealand in a three-match ODI series on home soil. The highly anticipated series will kick off on January 11, with both teams having a face-off at the BCA stadium in Vadodara. 

The BCCI selection committee has already announced a star-studded Indian squad for the T20I series. According to the latest report, India's ODI squad for the New Zealand series will likely be picked around January 3 or 4. 

As the Men in Blue prepare for the major assignment, here we analyse to find out which players they might ignore for the home series. 

Rishabh Pant

Why could India drop Rishabh Pant for NZ ODIs

  • Rishabh Pant was included in India's squad for the Champions Trophy as well as the South Africa home series. However, the swashbuckling southpaw didn't get a single match across both series, with India preferring KL Rahul as their first-choice wicketkeeper on expected lines. 
  • Although Rishabh Pant warmed the bench, the emergence of Ishan Kishan as a potent middle-order option could pave the way for his ODI exclusion. Ishan recently led Jharkhand to a historic title in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy before kickstarting the Vijay Hazare Trophy with the second-fastest List-A hundred for India. 
  • So, considering Rishabh Pant has barely played any white-ball matches after the IPL 2025, India will likely replace him with Ishan Kishan, who has exhibited his class in the domestic cricket. 

Hardik Pandya

Why Hardik Pandya might not play IND vs NZ ODIs

  • Hardik Pandya was sidelined from the ODI series against South Africa due to a quadriceps injury. As things stand, the veteran all-rounder might have to wait for an ODI comeback, with the BCCI planning to rest him for the New Zealand series. 
  • Pandya has been prone to injuries, and the Indian team wants to manage his workload carefully ahead of the T20 World Cup. According to the latest reports, he will likely be rested for the New Zealand ODIs and will make his comeback for the five-match T20I series starting on January 21. 
  • Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has scored 84 runs and bagged three wickets in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, will likely retain his place as the seam-bowling allrounder if Hardik Pandya misses out.

Jasprit Bumrah

Why Jasprit Bumrah might not play IND vs NZ ODIs

  • Jasprit Bumrah might be another high-profile name to be rested for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The seasoned campaigner recently recovered from a back injury and has had multiple fitness setbacks throughout his nine-year-long career. 
  • Bumrah is the backbone of the Indian bowling attack and hence holds significant importance for them in T20Is. Considering he will play a pivotal role for India in the T20 World Cup, the BCCI selection committee is likely to rest him for the ODI series. 

Washington Sundar

Why could India drop Washington Sundar for NZ ODIs

Criterion
Data
Matches2
Runs14
Wickets0

(Washington Sundar's stats in IND vs SA ODIs)

  • Experienced all-rounder Washington Sundar replaced Axar Patel in the Indian team for the South Africa ODIs. 
  • However, the Indian team management's decision to utilise him at number five didn't work, with Sundar managing only 14 runs in two outings. He also went wicketless with the ball, which is why India might bring Axar back and reinstate him at five in their ODI playing XI against New Zealand. 

Tilak Varma

Why could India drop Tilak Varma for NZ ODIs

  • Tilak Varma was a part of the Indian ODI squad that took on South Africa at home. Despite showcasing his mettle in the T20Is, Tilak failed to enter India's first-choice ODI XI, with the hosts picking Ruturaj Gaikwad over him. 
  • Interestingly, Gaikwad grabbed his chance with both hands, scoring 113 runs, including a century. His impressive returns at number four could prompt India to retain him and snub Tilak if Shreyas Iyer returns to the team.