India have reshaped their squad for the final two ODIs against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15. Test specialists are leaving the white-ball group to prepare for the Wellington Test starting November 19. India lead the series 2-0 and are eyeing a series win.
Series Context and Schedule
The third ODI in Hamilton was abandoned after the toss. That result delayed India's series win and ended New Zealand's chances of clinching the series.
The new squad will play the remaining two fixtures before the Test series begins.
Series snapshot| Item | Detail |
|---|
| Series status | India lead 2-0 |
| 3rd ODI | Abandoned after the toss (Hamilton) |
| 4th ODI | November 13, Mount Maunganui |
| 5th ODI | November 15, Mount Maunganui |
| 1st Test | November 19, Wellington |
Key Changes in the India Squad
Five changes stand out in the revised group. Leadership and wicketkeeping roles have shifted, and a batting spot has opened up.
Shreyas Iyer Takes the Captaincy
Iyer will become India's 29th ODI captain. He performed well in the second ODI run-chase in Wellington.
He could have led India in last year's South Africa ODIs after Gill's neck injury, but he was injured after an awkward fall while fielding in Sydney.
Ishan Kishan: Vice-Captain and Wicketkeeper
Kishan steps up as vice-captain and will keep wickets in place of KL Rahul. He has previously captained Sunrisers Hyderabad, East Zone and Jharkhand. With Gill absent, he could also open the batting.
His ODI numbers after 32 matches are solid, with a strike rate above 107 and a double-century to his name.
Kumar Kushagra as Back-Up Keeper
Kushagra moves ahead of several senior keepers on the strength of domestic and India A performances. He will be Kishan's understudy.
Wicketkeeper batting records| Player | Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|
| Ishan Kishan | ODI | 32 | 1,107 | 42.57 | 107.05 |
| Kumar Kushagra | List A | 40 | 1,387 | 51.37 | 94.41 |
Kushagra's List A record includes two centuries. His average is higher than Kishan's ODI average, though the two are drawn from different levels of competition.
Tilak Varma and the Middle-Order Question
Varma has played five ODIs for India between 2023 and 2025 without cementing a place. With Iyer and Kishan moving into leadership roles, a batter's spot has opened in the 15-member squad.
As a designated T20I finisher, Varma could enter the XI over Ruturaj Gaikwad and fill the number 5 or 6 slot left by Rahul. Gaikwad is more suited to number 3 or 4, both of which are currently occupied.
Bowling Changes: Thakur In, Kamboj Out
Kamboj leaves the ODI group to join the Test squad after a strong start to the series. He took 2/22 in the first ODI and 2/25 in the second, and conceded just 2.61 runs per over across 18 overs.
Yash Thakur is in line for a potential ODI debut after a strong Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025/26. Vidarbha won the title, and he took a match-winning spell against Karnataka in the final.
Bowler comparison| Bowler | Key Numbers |
|---|
| Anshul Kamboj (ODI, this series) | 2/22 and 2/25; economy 2.61 over 18 overs |
| Yash Thakur (Vijay Hazare 2025/26) | 19 wickets in 9 matches |
| Yash Thakur (List A career) | 97 wickets in 60 games; strike rate under 30 |
| Yash Thakur (T20I) | 5 wickets in 3 innings |
Mohammed Siraj would normally be ahead in the pecking order. He is part of the Test squad, so he could be rested for this series.
India's Squad for the 4th and 5th ODI
The 15-member group is: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (vice-captain, wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav.
Analytical Takeaway
The changes lean on form and depth rather than ODI experience. Kishan's strike rate above 107 and Thakur's sub-30 List A strike rate give India aggressive options. The series is already in India's favour at 2-0, which makes this a sensible window to test the bench.