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Forgotten players who could make wild card entry into India ODI squad for NZ series

Rajgeeta Yadav

Ishan Kishan [Source: AFP]Ishan Kishan [Source: AFP]

Team India is all set to begin their first One Day International assignment of the year 2026 when they take on New Zealand at home in a three-match series starting from 11 January. This ODI series will be followed by five T20Is, which will act as an important preparation phase for the 2026 T20 World Cup. While the series seems to be exciting, it is also expected to bring a few surprises when it comes to team selection.

Led by Shubman Gill, India is likely to look slightly different from usual. According to reports by TOI, key players such as Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are expected to be rested for the ODI leg of the tour. The main reason behind this decision is workload management, as both players are important to India’s plans for the T20 World Cup.

While some senior stars may be given a break, this situation opens the door for a few forgotten or sidelined players to make a surprise comeback. Based on strong domestic performances, here are some players who could earn a wild card entry into the ODI squad against New Zealand.

Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami is one of the biggest names who could make a surprise return. The experienced pacer has been out of India’s plans since the ICC Champions Trophy in March 2025. That absence is surprising, especially because Shami finished that tournament as India’s joint-highest wicket-taker with nine wickets. Since then, however, he has not featured in the national side.

  • Despite being away from international cricket, Shami has continued to prove his quality in domestic tournaments. In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26, he picked up eight wickets in four innings. 
  • Before that, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he took 16 wickets in seven matches. Additionally, in the Ranji Trophy 2025, he showed his dominance once again by claiming 20 wickets in seven innings.

Considering his experience and consistent domestic form, Shami could be a strong option for the ODI series, especially with Bumrah being rested. 

Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur is another player who could benefit from the changes in the squad. The fast-bowling all-rounder has been performing well in domestic cricket, even though he has not been a regular in the ODI team in recent times. His last appearance in ODIs came during the 2023 World Cup.

Criteria
Stats
Matches4
Runs56
Wickets8
SR (batting)193.10
Average (batting)28.00
SR (bowling)14.00

[Shardul Thakur's performance in VHT]

  • In the VHT 2025–26, Shardul made an impact with both bat and ball. He scored 56 runs in two innings and picked up eight wickets in three matches. His overall List A record is also impressive, with 188 wickets in 120 innings and 1,027 runs in 69 innings.
  • With Hardik Pandya likely to be rested and other all-round options not being in top form, Shardul’s consistency could work in his favour.

Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan has been knocking on the selectors’ door for a long time, and his recent performances may finally earn him an ODI recall. The Jharkhand opener has been in outstanding form in domestic cricket and recently led his team to victory in the SMAT 2025 as captain.

  • Although Kishan has made a return to India’s T20I plans and was selected for the 2026 T20 World Cup squad, his ODI comeback is also being seriously considered. He last played an ODI for India on 11 October 2023 against Afghanistan during the World Cup in Delhi. Since then, he has rebuilt his case with consistent performances.
  • Notably, Kishan finished as the highest run-scorer in SMAT 2025 and played a key role in Jharkhand’s historic title win. He even scored a century in the final against Haryana. 
  • Carrying that form forward, he smashed a 33-ball hundred against Karnataka in the VHT on 24 December, which became the second-fastest List A century by an Indian batter.

With such strong performances, Ishan Kishan looks like a clear frontrunner for an ODI recall and could be one of the biggest wild card entries in the New Zealand series.