India’s ODI plans for the 2027 World Cup continue to evolve, with the selectors making several changes to the squads for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday announced separate squads for the first three and final two matches, with the split aimed at giving Test regulars time to prepare for the two-match red-ball series, which begins just four days after the ODIs.
The selections have raised questions over the futures of some established players, with Ravindra Jadeja emerging as the biggest omission from the squad for the first three matches. The veteran allrounder has struggled for form over the past several months, and his exclusion could be a significant setback to his hopes of making India’s squad for the 2027 World Cup.
Axar Patel has been brought in as a like-for-like replacement for Jadeja. The left-arm allrounder last played an ODI in July against England and will now have an opportunity to strengthen his case for a place in the team for the marquee tournament in Africa.
Another notable omission is Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been left out of both squads for the New Zealand series. The decision means the opener will miss an opportunity to partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the order after Shubman Gill leaves the ODI squad to prepare for the Tests. Gill is set to depart after the first two matches. The BCCI has not provided an explanation for Jaiswal’s exclusion.
Wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel has also been left out and replaced by Ishan Kishan, despite not getting an opportunity to play in the first four ODIs against West Indies. Kishan, along with Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh, returns to the fold after missing the West Indies series due to the 2026 Asian Games.
There has also been a change in the pace department. Auqib Nabi, who featured in the first ODI against West Indies in Guwahati, conceded 84 runs without taking a wicket and has been replaced by Anshul Kamboj for the first three matches against New Zealand. The arrangement will be reversed for the final two ODIs, with Kamboj leaving for Test preparations and Nabi returning to the squad.
The squad will undergo further changes after the first three ODIs, with Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Anshul Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna leaving to focus on preparations for the Test series.
Tilak Varma will join the squad for the final two matches, along with Kumar Kushagra and Yash Thakur, who are set to make their ODI debuts. Auqib Nabi will also return for the last two games.
Players leaving after the first three ODIs: Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Anshul Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna.
Players joining for the fourth and fifth ODIs: Tilak Varma, Auqib Nabi, Kumar Kushagra and Yash Thakur.
India’s ODI squad for the first three ODIs: Shubman Gill [C], Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer [VC], KL Rahul [WK], Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan [WK], Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna*, Kuldeep Yadav
India’s ODI squad for fourth and fifth ODIs: Shreyas Iyer [C], Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan [WK, VC], Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra [WK], Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav
135010156