IND vs NZ: Suspense ends over Shreyas Iyer's participation for ODI series against New Zealand

India ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is currently on the road to recovery from spleen injury in Australia while taking a catch in Australia, will most likely to feature for Mumbai in their Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) clash against Himachal Pradesh on January 6th. 

Sports Tak understands that Iyer has completed the first 50-over RTP match on January 2, 2026. He will be playing the Vijay Hazare match on January 6th as part of his second RTP match before final fitness clearance. 

Sources close to Sports Tak also revealed that Iyer will be a part of India's ODI squad against New Zealand, but his participation in the white-ball series will be subject to fitness. 

How did Iyer get injured?

Shreyas Iyer suffered a serious injury during the third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25, 2025. He was fielding at backward point when Alex Carey miscued a shot, and the ball went high. Iyer sprinted back and took a brilliant running catch to dismiss Carey, but as he landed awkwardly on his left side after completing the catch, he hurt his left rib area and fell to the ground in pain.

Shubman Gill to make comeback in ODIs vs NZ

Apart from Iyer, India ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill, who missed the last ODI series against South Africa, is fit for the selection and will lead the side against New Zealand. 

Indian stars who will miss ODI series against New Zealand

India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and stylish fast bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya will miss the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, which is scheduled to start from January 11. Notably, the duo is fit for the selection, but the management will give them rest to manage their workload consedaring T20 World Cup 2026. The duo will be seen in action in the five-match T20I series against the same opponent as that will be India's last assignment before the mega event, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka later this year in February. Apart from Hardik and Bumrah, India wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant will also miss the series. 

Sports Tak understands that Hardik currently lacks sufficient bowling volume for the 50-over formats of the game. He will participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he will play only two matches, as communicated earlier in the email from Team India. He will bowl limited overs only in each match as part of his preparations for the T20 World Cup.