Shreyas Iyer may captain India in New Zealand ODI series

Reports suggest a potential leadership split for India’s upcoming five-match ODI series against New Zealand. While Shubman Gill is the designated ODI captain, Shreyas Iyer may lead the side during the final two matches of the series.

The proposed change is attributed to workload management. A tight turnaround exists between the final ODI on November 15 and the start of the Test series on November 19. To prevent physical burnout among Test specialists, team management may allow Gill and other red-ball regulars to step aside to prepare for the subsequent Test matches.

In addition to the leadership transition, the coaching staff may also divide into two groups, with some members traveling early to Wellington to prepare for the Test series. The compressed schedule has drawn scrutiny, as the overlap between white-ball and red-ball formats impacts player availability for matches crucial to 2027 ODI World Cup preparations.