The Indian cricket team is set to begin its 2026 campaign with a home ODI series against New Zealand. The three-match series will commence on January 11, and the squad has already been announced. Shreyas Iyer was initially included in the team subject to clearance from the BCCI’s medical team. Now, the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) has officially declared him fully fit, clearing all doubts over his availability for the series.
BCCI gives the green light
There is good news for Team India as middle-order batter and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has received complete fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. As per reports, the medical team is satisfied with his recovery, and he has been declared match-ready ahead of schedule. His recent performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy played a key role in convincing the medical staff that he is ready to return to international cricket.
Comeback after injury
Shreyas Iyer had suffered a serious injury in October last year during the ODI against Australia in Sydney. While attempting a catch in the field, he fell awkwardly and injured his spleen, which required hospitalisation. The injury kept him away from competitive cricket for nearly three months. Following an extensive rehabilitation process, he made his return to domestic cricket, leading Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Batting at number four against Himachal Pradesh, he impressed with a fluent 82 off just 53 balls, after which he was granted full clearance.
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Who misses out due to Shreyas’s return?
Shubman Gill will lead India in the ODI series against New Zealand. However, Shreyas Iyer’s return has resulted in Ruturaj Gaikwad missing out on selection. In Shreyas’s absence, Ruturaj had performed strongly at number four and even scored his maiden ODI century. Despite that, he has been left out of the squad this time. Had Shreyas failed to gain fitness clearance, Ruturaj might have earned another opportunity, but that door has now closed.
