India vs New Zealand ODI Series: Aakash Chopra Reveals His Preferred Squad
Upcoming ODI Series Details
New Delhi, January 3, 2026: The three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand is set to commence on January 11, with the first match taking place in Vadodara. Ahead of the official team announcement by the BCCI, former Indian opener and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra has shared his preferred Indian squad for the series against New Zealand on his YouTube channel.
Aakash Chopra's Selected Team
Chopra anticipates the return of senior players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill in his lineup. Notably, he has opted not to include Sanju Samson, while Rishabh Pant is selected as a backup wicketkeeper. He has also supported the inclusion of Mohammed Siraj, leaving out Mohammed Shami. For added batting depth, Washington Sundar and Tilak Varma have been chosen.
Aakash Chopra's Chosen Indian ODI Squad:
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
- Axar Patel / Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Tilak Varma
- Harshit Rana
- Mohammed Siraj
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Prasidh Krishna
- Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
Strategic Insights
Chopra believes that Ruturaj Gaikwad is a strong option for the number four position in the absence of Shreyas Iyer. He advocates for keeping Rishabh Pant in the squad, emphasizing that Pant has been part of the team since the Champions Trophy and deserves a chance.
Complete Schedule for the Series:
- First ODI: January 11 – Vadodara (BCA Stadium, Kothambi) – 1:30 PM IST
- Second ODI: January 14 – Rajkot (Niranjan Shah Stadium, Khanderi) – 1:30 PM IST
- Third ODI: January 18 – Indore (Holkar Cricket Stadium) – 1:30 PM IST
Anticipation for the Official Team Announcement
The official announcement of the team is expected either today or tomorrow. Fans are particularly excited about the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The matches will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network, with live streaming available on Jio Hotstar.