Overview
- Shreyas Iyer reported to the BCCI Centre of Excellence on December 25, finished four high‑intensity skill sessions, and completed his first match‑simulation on January 2.
- The BCCI medical team will issue a Return to Play decision after a second simulation on January 5, creating a timing squeeze with the ODI squad announcement expected January 3–4.
- India host New Zealand for three ODIs in Vadodara on January 11, Rajkot on January 14, and Indore on January 18 before a five‑match T20I series.
- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to return to the ODI setup, with Shubman Gill also set to rejoin after missing the South Africa series through injury.
- Workload management could see Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya rested, and reports indicate Mohammed Shami is under consideration, with in‑form options like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel discussed as potential inclusions.