Shreyas Iyer's replacements as India's vice-captain for IND vs NZ ODIs

Sakshi Sharma

Shreyas Iyer injured in Australia. Image Credits: XShreyas Iyer injured in Australia. Image Credits: X

The year 2026 is set to begin on an exciting note as Team India prepares to host New Zealand for a high-profile white-ball series. The tour will feature three ODIs followed by five T20Is.

While the Indian T20I squad has already been announced and remains unchanged from the team that represented the country at the T20 World Cup 2026, the ODI squad has yet to be officially announced.

 According to reports, the BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is expected to announce a 15-member ODI squad on January 3.

One of the most significant talking points ahead of the squad announcement is the vice-captaincy role in the ODI team. 

With Shreyas Iyer, India’s current ODI vice-captain, racing against time to regain full match fitness, selectors may be forced to look at alternative leadership options, not just for the New Zealand series, but also with an eye on the future.

Shreyas Iyer’s Injury and Uncertain Return

Shreyas Iyer has been sidelined since October 25, 2025, after suffering a serious injury during India's third ODI against Australia. 

While attempting a catch near the third-man boundary, Shreyas Iyer lost balance while running backwards and landed heavily on his rib cage. Though he managed to complete the catch, he was clearly in pain and had to be taken off the field.

Medical examinations later revealed internal bleeding and damage to his spleen, ruling him out of competitive cricket for an extended period.

He also reported to the BCCI's COE in Bengaluru on December 25 and has made steady progress.

In a recent development, Shreyas Iyer is required to complete two match-simulation sessions. The first session took place on January 2, while the second is scheduled for January 5. 

However, with the ODI squad likely to be announced on January 3, the timing may not work in Iyer's favour. Selectors could prefer players who are already fully match-ready, which opens the door for other vice-captaincy options.

KL Rahul

KL Rahul is one of the strongest candidates to take over the vice-captaincy role if Iyer is unavailable. He has plenty of leadership experience, having previously served as India's vice-captain and even captained the team in several series across formats.

In ODIs, KL Rahul has been a reliable middle-order batter, often playing the role of a stabiliser during pressure situations.

Recently, he also served as stand-in captain during an ODI series against South Africa when both captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer were unavailable due to injuries. This further strengthens his case as a dependable leadership option for the selectors.

Ravindra Jadeja

Another strong contender for the vice-captaincy role is Ravindra Jadeja. The experienced all-rounder has previously served as India's vice-captain in both ODIs and T20Is. Known for his consistency with both bat and ball, Jadeja brings balance and maturity to the team.

Jadeja was also appointed vice-captain of the Indian Test team for the West Indies series in late 2025, stepping in after Rishabh Pant was ruled out injured.

It is also important to note that Jadeja ahs briefly captained Chennai Super Kings during the IPL 2022 season, however he later stepped down to focus on his performance.

Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad represents a more long-term leadership option. While he is not India's official ODI vice-captain, Gaikwad has served as vice-captain of the India A team, including during the recent series against South Africa A.  

It is also worth noting that Gaikwad was appointed CSK's captain on March 21, 2024.

During the recent South Africa tour, he was added to the ODI squad as a replacement and made a strong impression by scoring a century at number four.

With Shubman Gill established as India’s ODI captain, the team management may look to groom a younger vice-captain who can grow into the role over time. In that context, Gaikwad’s name stands out.