BCCI Adds Auqib Nabi to India Squad for First Three New Zealand ODIs

On 31 October 2026 the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced a late squad change, inserting Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi into the Indian side for the first three One‑Day Internationals against New Zealand. The move followed a hamstring injury to fast bowler Prasidh Krishna during the second ODI versus West Indies in Guwahati, which ruled Krishna out of the opening matches of the New Zealand series.

Nabi had already been named in the squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs of the same series. He made his ODI debut on 30 September 2026 against West Indies in Guwahati, delivering 8.5 overs for 84 runs. Despite the expensive spell, Nabi impressed selectors by claiming six wickets across two innings in a four‑day India A fixture against New Zealand A at Lincoln, a performance that kept him in contention for the senior squad. The Men's Selection Committee confirmed his promotion in an official statement, noting that the right‑arm pacer would now be part of the squad from the start of the series.

The first three ODIs will be led by Shubman Gill as captain with Shreyas Iyer as vice‑captain. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli feature in all five matches. The pace contingent for the opening trio includes Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar and the newly added Nabi, while Nitish Kumar Reddy is included only for the first ODI. KL Rahul remains the designated wicket‑keeper for the first three games, with Ishan Kishan sharing duties later in the series. Spin options are provided by Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, and batting depth is bolstered by Naman Dhir and Ruturaj Gaikwad.

For the fourth and fifth ODIs, Shreyas Iyer will assume captaincy with Ishan Kishan as deputy and wicket‑keeper. New additions for the latter matches are Tilak Varma, Kumar Kushagra (also as wicket‑keeper) and Yash Thakur, while the core pace and spin unit remains unchanged. Gill entered the series on a high note, having scored a double hundred against West Indies in an ODI chase that surpassed a target of 400 runs, underscoring his form ahead of the New Zealand tour.

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