India Shake Up ODI Squad: Iyer Captains, Kishan Deputises for Final Two New Zealand Games

India are reshaping their ODI squad for the final stretch against New Zealand. Test specialists are heading out, Shreyas Iyer is taking charge, and fresh faces are knocking on the door. With a 2-0 lead and a series win in sight, the Mount Maunganui games on November 13 and 15 suddenly carry extra spice.

Why India Are Changing the Squad

The Test specialists are leaving the ODI group ahead of the 4th and 5th ODIs. Some players from the ODI squad will join the Test team to prepare for the opener, which begins on November 19 in Wellington.

India lead the series 2-0. The third ODI in Hamilton was abandoned after the toss, which delayed India’s series win and ended the Blackcaps’ chances of clinching it.

Series Snapshot

Iyer Takes the Captain’s Armband

Shreyas Iyer will lead India in the final two ODIs and become the 29th ODI captain of the Men in Blue. He impressed during the second ODI run-chase in Wellington.

He could have captained India in last year’s South Africa ODIs after Shubman Gill’s neck injury. However, he was injured after an awkward fall while fielding in Sydney.

Ishan Kishan Steps Up as Deputy and Wicketkeeper

Ishan Kishan will act as vice-captain in Iyer’s place. He returned to the Indian team earlier in 2026 and has been rising steadily, and he is now part of the leadership group.

Kishan has captained Sunrisers Hyderabad, East Zone and Jharkhand. He will also keep wicket, replacing KL Rahul, and could open the batting in Gill’s absence.

Kishan’s ODI Numbers

He also has an ODI double-century to his name.

Kumar Kushagra Earns a Surprise Call-Up

Kumar Kushagra has leapfrogged several senior wicketkeepers in India’s setup. His promising domestic and India A form has earned him a place as Kishan’s understudy.

After 40 List A matches, he has 1387 runs at 51.37 with a strike rate of 94.41 and two centuries.

KL Rahul, meanwhile, continues his Test preparations as opener and vice-captain of the Test side. He is expected to be central to India’s plans in the Test series.

Tilak Varma Returns as a Finisher

Tilak Varma has played five ODIs for India between 2023 and 2025 without cementing his spot. Iyer and Kishan moving into leadership roles has opened a batter’s place in the 15-man squad.

Varma is a designated finisher in T20Is, so he could come into the XI at number 5 or 6 to replace Rahul. Ruturaj Gaikwad is seen more as a number 3 or 4 option, and both of those spots are currently taken.

Yash Thakur Eyes a Debut, Kamboj Heads to Tests

Anshul Kamboj made a strong start to the series, taking 2/22 and 2/25 in the first two ODIs. He also kept his economy to 2.61 runs per over across 18 overs before joining the Test squad.

Yash Thakur is in line for a possible ODI debut after a brilliant Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025/26. He took 19 wickets in 9 matches as Vidarbha lifted the title, including a match-winning spell against Karnataka in the final.

Thakur’s Credentials

Mohammed Siraj would normally be ahead of Thakur in the pecking order. As part of the Test squad, though, he could get extra rest during this series.

India’s Squad for the 4th and 5th ODI

Shreyas Iyer (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (vc, wk), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav.

Key Changes at a Glance

• Shreyas Iyer takes over as captain in place of Shubman Gill.
• Ishan Kishan becomes Iyer’s deputy and the first-choice wicketkeeper.
• Kumar Kushagra replaces KL Rahul in the squad.
• Tilak Varma joins as a finisher.
• Yash Thakur comes in for Anshul Kamboj.

With the series lead in hand, India can use these two games to test depth and sharpen combinations. A win in Mount Maunganui would seal the trophy before the focus shifts to the Test series.