India set to name ODI squad for five-match New Zealand tour ahead of November 4 start
India will finalise its One-Day International squad for the five-match tour of New Zealand, which begins on November 4, 2026 in Auckland and finishes on November 15 with the final two games in Tauranga. The Times of India reported that the BCCI’s senior men’s selection committee could pick the squad next week.
Alongside every ODI assignment, India are using the New Zealand tour to shape preparations for the ODI World Cup 2027 and to test combinations. The series forms part of a long all-format tour and provides another opportunity for players to stake a claim, forcing selectors to weigh trying new options against retaining experienced personnel.
Selectors are monitoring the ongoing India A series against Australia A before finalising the travelling side, with performances in those fixtures being used to assess candidates for the senior ODI squad. The report says some India A players could be fast-tracked into consideration and might even be selected for the last two matches in New Zealand.
The announcement of the squad has been delayed because the ODI schedule overlaps with India’s Test series, and some regular Test players could leave the ODI group early to begin Test preparations. Media reports indicate the selectors are considering an alternative group specifically for the final two ODIs to manage that overlap.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain available for ODI cricket after retiring from Tests and T20Is, and both senior batters are expected to feature in India’s New Zealand ODIs as part of the build-up to the World Cup. Their availability is being factored into the selection balance between established names and emerging options.
The selection timeline and the India A results are central to final decisions, with the BCCI’s selection committee likely to formalise the squad next week, according to the TOI report. The five-match ODI series opens on November 4, 2026 in Auckland and concludes on November 15 in Tauranga.