14/01/2026
Shubman Gill is making his official international comeback tomorrow, January 11, 2026, as he leads India in the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara.
His return is a major talking point in Indian cricket right now, as he has been sidelined due to a serious neck injury and was recently omitted from the T20 World Cup squad.
The Comeback Details
The Match: India vs. New Zealand, 1st ODI.
Venue: BCA Stadium, Vadodara.
Role: He returns not just as an opener, but as the Captain of the ODI side.
Fitness: After recovering from a neck injury (nerve damage) sustained during the Test series against South Africa in late 2025, Gill proved his fitness by playing for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy earlier this month.
Context: Why was he away?
Injury: Gill suffered a significant neck injury during the first Test against South Africa in November 2025. He required medical injections and a period of complete rest, missing the subsequent white-ball matches in South Africa.
T20 World Cup Snub: Despite being the ODI and Test captain, Gill was dropped from the T20 World Cup 2026 squad (announced in late December 2025). Selectors cited a "lean run" in the shortest format and a need for better team balance.
India's ODI Squad vs New Zealand
Gill will be leading a strong side that sees the return of several veterans:
Top Order: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Middle Order: Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK).
All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Harsh*t Rana, Prasidh Krishna.
