IND vs NZ 2026: Indian vice-captain Shreyas Iyer cleared to join squad for ODI series

Indian ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has been cleared to join India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Iyer, who was named in India’s 15-member squad earlier this month subject to fitness clearance, has successfully demonstrated his readiness after featuring in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26. He is set to link up with the national squad on Friday, January 9.

India will face New Zealand in the first ODI on Sunday, January 11, in Vadodara. Iyer’s return marks his comeback to international cricket following a serious spleen injury sustained during the ODI against Australia in Sydney in October. The 31-year-old suffered internal bleeding due to a spleen laceration while attempting a catch and was hospitalised as a result. He subsequently missed India’s home series against South Africa.

Iyer’s importance in the ODI format is underlined by his impressive numbers. He has scored 2,917 runs in 67 innings at an average exceeding 45, earning praise for his composure and temperament in the middle order. He has also accumulated 811 runs in Tests and 1,104 runs in T20Is, but it is his consistency in the 50-over format that has firmly established him as a key figure in India’s setup.

The Mumbai batter showed encouraging form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 82 and 45 in two outings. In the absence of Shardul Thakur due to injury, Iyer also captained Mumbai in those matches.

Most members of India’s ODI squad arrived in Vadodara on January 7. The city is set to host its first men’s international match in over 15 years, with the newly built Kotambi Stadium having already staged Women’s Premier League matches and women’s ODIs.

India ODI squad vs New Zealand

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