Indian Players Who Were Unlucky to Miss Out on the NZ ODI Squad

India’s ODI squads are often packed with world-class talent, making selection one of the toughest challenges for the team management. While the squad picked for the New Zealand ODIs reflects balance and strategy, a few standout performers were unlucky to miss out. 

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Based on recent form, consistency, and team requirements, here are the Indian stars who arguably deserved a place in the NZ ODI series.

1. Shubman Gill (If Not Fully Available)

When fully fit, Shubman Gill is one of India’s most reliable ODI batters. His ability to build innings, handle pace and swing, and accelerate when needed makes him ideal for overseas conditions like New Zealand.

Why he deserved a spot:

Proven ODI consistency
Strong temperament in challenging conditions
Ability to anchor and accelerate

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 2. Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been a consistent performer across formats, yet his ODI opportunities have been limited. His technique against seam bowling and calm approach make him well-suited for New Zealand pitches.

Why he deserved a spot:

Solid domestic and international form
Technically sound against swing
Long-term ODI potential
 

3. Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson’s aggressive middle-order batting and wicketkeeping skills provide flexibility to the ODI setup. His ability to change momentum quickly can be valuable in high-scoring or pressure situations.

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Why he deserved a spot:

Match-winning ability in limited chances
Multi-dimensional role as batter-keeper
Strong white-ball temperament
 

4. Washington Sundar

New Zealand conditions often reward disciplined bowling and batting depth. Washington Sundar’s off-spin, control in the powerplay, and improving batting make him a strong all-round option.

Why he deserved a spot:

Useful powerplay bowler
Reliable lower-order batting
Ideal all-round balance for ODIs
 

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5. Yuzvendra Chahal

Despite strong competition among spinners, Chahal’s wicket-taking ability in ODIs remains valuable. His experience and knack for breaking partnerships could have added variety to the bowling attack.

Why he deserved a spot:

Proven ODI wicket-taker
Experience in overseas conditions
Ability to control middle overs
 

6. Mohammed Siraj (If Rested)

If rested for workload management, Siraj’s absence is still notable. His ability to swing the new ball and maintain pressure makes him one of India’s most effective ODI pacers.

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Why he deserved a spot:

New-ball strike bowler
Consistent pace and accuracy
Match-impacting spells
 

Final Thoughts

Selection debates are inevitable in a talent-rich setup like India’s. While the chosen squad has clear strengths, these players have shown enough quality and form to merit serious consideration. Rotations, workload management, and long-term planning often influence decisions, but performances continue to keep the competition fierce.