7 players not in India’s squad for NZ vs IND 2026 ODIs who were part of the 2025 Champions Trophy team

Team India are currently taking on New Zealand in a five-match ODI series. They won the first match at the Eden Park in Auckland by five wickets (DLS) method. Bowling first, India bowled out New Zealand for 185 in 40.2 overs. Chasing a revised target of 143 in 32 overs, India got home in 22.4 overs courtesy of a sublime knock of 74 in 51 balls from Virat Kohli.

India have named Shubman Gill as captain for the first three ODIs, with Shreyas Iyer serving as his deputy. For the last two matches, Shreyas would lead the team, while keeper-batter Ishan Kishan would be the vice-captain. The arrangement has been made so that Gill can prepare for the Test matches.

A number of players in the ODI squad in New Zealand were part of the 2025 Champions Trophy triumph in the UAE last year. In this feature, we look at seven players from India’s Champions Trophy squad who are not part of the ODIs.

#1 Ravindra Jadeja

Seasoned all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has not been picked in India’s squad for the ODIs in New Zealand due to his poor recent form in the format. In 2026, he has played five ODIs and has scored 43 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 66.15. With the ball, he has claimed two wickets at an economy rate of 6.27.

In the 2025 Champions Trophy, Jadeja claimed five wickets at an average of 36.60 and an economy rate of 4.35, with a best of 2-40 in the semifinal against Australia. With the bat, he scored 27 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 100.

#2 Hardik Pandya

Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the white-ball tour of England due to a right shin injury. Pandya has suffered multiple fitness setbacks over the last few months, which has kept him out of the Indian team. He has played competitive cricket during the IPL.

In four innings during the 2025 Champions Trophy, Pandya scored 99 runs at an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 106.45, with a best of 45. With the ball, he claimed four wickets at an average of 35.75 and an economy rate of 5.83, with a best of 2-31.

#3 Harshit Rana

Pacer Harshit Rana was ruled out of India’s tour of New Zealand due to a delay in his rehab. The fast bowler complained of a strain in his left quadriceps during a match simulation on September 7 ahead of the Afghanistan series in New Delhi. An MRI scan revealed a low-grade strain in both thighs, putting him out of action.

Harshit played two matches during India’s 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, claiming four wickets at an average of 15.25 and an economy rate of 3.97. He registered figures of 3-31 in 7.4 overs against Bangladesh.

#4 Mohammed Shami

There was no recall for veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami for the New Zealand tour as well. The right-arm pacer played four matches for India during the 2025 Champions Trophy and claimed nine wickets at an average of 24.22 and an economy rate of 5.89. Shami picked up 5-53 against Bangladesh and 3-48 in the semifinal against Australia. However, he was expensive in the final, claiming 1-74 in nine overs.

#5 Varun Chakravarthy

Leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy also does not feature in India’s ODI squad for the tour of New Zealand. He had an impressive Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, claiming nine wickets in three matches at an average of 15.11 and an economy rate of 4.53. Chakravarthy claimed 5-42 against New Zealand in the group stage. He picked up two wickets each against Australia and the Black Caps in the semifinal and the final.

#6 Washington Sundar

All-rounder Washington Sundar was part of India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad. However, he did not feature in any matches as India backed Jadeja and Axar Patel as their all-rounders.

#7 Rishabh Pant

Like Sundar, Rishabh Pant also did not play any matches during the Men in Blue’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign as KL Rahul was preferred as the keeper-batter for the entire tournament.

Edited by Renin Wilben Albert