The BCCI senior men’s selection committee on Saturday (January 3) announced India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand.

The Kiwis will tour India for three ODIs and five T20Is. The tour starts with the ODI series, and the matches will be played in Vadodara, Rajkot and Indore on January 11, 14 and 18, respectively.

Having performed exceptionally well in the preceding series against South Africa, Indian batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retained their spots in the ODI squad.

The New Zealand ODIs will mark skipper Shubman Gill’s return to the side. He missed the South Africa series due to neck injury. Despite the captain’s comeback, left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal kept his place in the team.

Shreyas Iyer has recovered from the spleen injury that jeopardised his participation in the South Africa ODIs last month. While the vice-captain has been picked for the New Zealand series, his availability is subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, who showcased his brilliance by hitting a hundred against the Proteas in Iyer’s absence, failed to make the cut in the 15-member squad.

KL Rahul, who led India against South Africa in Gill's absence, will play as the first-choice wicketkeeper against New Zealand. Rishabh Pant features in the squad as a reserve wicketkeeper.

Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav are the spin options in the team. Nitish Kumar Reddy features in the side as seam-bowling all-rounder as Hardik Pandya hasn't been clearned to bowl 10 overs in a match.

“Hardik Pandya has not been cleared by the BCCI COE to bowl 10 overs in a match, and considering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to follow, his workload is being managed,” BCCI’s official release stated.

Jasprit Bumrah has been given a rest as senior pacer Mohammed Siraj, who was overlooked for the South Africa series, earned a call-up. Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh are the other fast-bowling options in the lineup.

India’s squad for New Zealand ODIs: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal

Note: *Shreyas Iyer’s availability is subject to fitness clearance from BCCI COE.