Gaikwad; Padikkal; Sarfaraz in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 (X.com)
India is set to host New Zealand for a high-profile eight-match limited-overs series, commencing from January 11, 2026. New Zealand's tour of India will feature three One-day Internationals and five Twenty 20 Internationals, with matches scheduled across multiple venues in the country.
India's T20I set-up looks settled, acting as a final testing phase for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side as they prepare for their T20 World Cup title defence. On the other hand, the ODI squad has been marred by the untimely absence of middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer.
According to the buzz, Iyer, who suffered a serious spleen laceration while attempting to take a diving catch during an India vs Australia ODI in October, will not return for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.
Thus, India’s middle-order has become a major talking point, as strong performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy continue to add layers to the race.
India’s middle-order contest warms up after multiple heroics in VHT 2025-26
With Shreyas Iyer still recovering, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee faces another pressure amid the squad announcement, which may be done in the New Year.
Notably, prominent performances from Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, and Devdutt Padikkal in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 have made the decision-making even more complex.
Ruturaj Gaikwad impresses ahead of NZ ODIs
The Maharashtra skipper scored a fine century during the side's encounter against Uttarakhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Gaikwad's knock proved crucial for Maharashtra, as they went on to post a huge total on the board. Standing strong despite the continued fall of wickets, Gaikwad didn't stop.
Gaikwad eventually brought up his century as the team crossed the 300-run mark. This was quite an important knock for the 28-year-old as he hadn't registered a hundred in domestic cricket for some time.
Sarfaraz Khan Slams 56-Ball 100 in VHT
He may not have played for India in over a year, but Sarfaraz Khan’s domestic form is showing no signs of fading. He lit up the Vijay Hazare Trophy with a quickfire century for Mumbai vs Goa to end 2025 on a high.
The 28-year-old made 157 from a mere 75 balls. He smashed nine fours and 14 sixes as Mumbai amassed 444/8 in 50 overs. It was also a message to the selectors ahead of the ODI series vs New Zealand that starts on January 11.
Devdutt Padikkal knocks on India ODI selection door with 3rd hundred in four matches
Karnataka batter Devdutt Padikkal kept his India ODI ambitions firmly alive with his third century in four matches in the ongoing 50-over domestic tournament. The left-hander continued his prolific run by reaching three figures once again, this time against Puducherry at the ADSA Railways Cricket Ground in Ahmedabad.
Notably, Padikkal's latest century followed earlier efforts of 147 against Jharkhand and 124 versus Kerala.
With only a few days left for the squad announcement, the above three batters have sent a strong message to selectors before the NZ ODIs. It is important to note that the decision could structure India's middle-order plans, not just for the series but also for the 2027 World Cup.
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