The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled its 15-player squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand on Saturday, marking a significant leadership change. Shubman Gill has been appointed as the team's captain for the contest, which begins on January 11.
New Leadership and Fitness Watch
In a move that signals a shift towards younger leadership, the selectors have entrusted the captaincy to the talented opener Shubman Gill. Shreyas Iyer has been named the vice-captain, but his final inclusion in the playing XI is contingent upon receiving a fitness clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (COE).
The pace bowling department sees the return of Mohammed Siraj, who missed the previous ODI engagement against South Africa. However, the most notable absence is that of veteran speedster Mohammed Shami. His non-selection has raised eyebrows, especially given his recent active participation and performances in domestic cricket.
Shami Snub Triggers Heated Debate
The decision to leave out Mohammed Shami has not gone down well in certain quarters, drawing sharp criticism. Bengal's head coach, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, launched a strong attack on the selection committee chaired by Ajit Agarkar. Shukla labeled the move as "unjust" and "shameful."
"The selection committee has done an injustice to Mohammed Shami. No international player has played domestic cricket with as much dedication as Shami in the recent past," Shukla stated on January 3. He emphasized that despite Shami's hard work on the domestic circuit, the selectors had sidelined him.
Shami's credentials are formidable. He last played an ODI for India during the victorious 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, where his contributions were pivotal to the title win. After overcoming fitness issues post-tournament, he made a robust return to action. In five recent domestic matches, Shami claimed 11 wickets at an impressive average of 22.27. Notably, on the very day the squad was announced, he took 3 wickets for 55 runs and scored an unbeaten 25 against Assam.
Pace Attack and Looking Ahead
For the New Zealand challenge, India's pace battery will consist of four frontline seamers: the returning Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh. The composition suggests the think-tank is keen on evaluating and building a pool of fast bowlers for the future, potentially moving on from established names like Shami.
The series against New Zealand, starting January 11, will be the first test for Captain Shubman Gill and his newly structured unit. While the focus will be on the fresh leadership, the controversy surrounding Mohammed Shami's omission is sure to be a persistent subplot, putting the selectors' strategy under intense scrutiny.
