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Young opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal could be handed a big opportunity in India’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, with reports suggesting that he may open the innings alongside the captain Shubman Gill. Yashasvi Jaiswal is also the backup opener for the upcoming West Indies series.
India will travel to New Zealand later this year for a full all-format tour, featuring five T20Is, five ODIs, and three Tests. The ODI series will kick off in November, and Jaiswal is expected to open the innings. Amid this, Why selectors ruled out Hardik Pandya for West Indies ODIs.
India's New Zealand tour to start with T20Is before crucial ODI and Test series
The five-match ODI series between India and New Zealand will start on November 4 at Eden Park, Auckland. The second ODI will be played in Wellington on November 7, followed by the third match in Hamilton on November 10.
The fourth and fifth ODIs will take place at Bay Oval in Tauranga on November 13 and 15, respectively. All five ODI matches are scheduled to begin at 6:30 AM IST.
However, India’s much-awaited and crucial all-format tour of New Zealand will begin with the five-match T20I series from October 22 before the ODI leg. The three-match Test series will be played later during the tour. Those tests are crucial for both teams in terms of their WTC Final 2027 dream.
Rohit Sharma’s ODI future takes big turn ahead of ICC ODI World Cup 2027
Rohit Sharma’s future in ODIs is already a topic of discussion. The 39-year-old has already retired from Test cricket and T20Is but continues to focus on the 50-over format. His main target is to play in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
After India won the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy under Rohit, there was growing talk that the selectors could move toward younger opening options. But Rohit’s fitness and his brilliant 138 at Lord’s changed the situation. The national selectors and BCCI have once again shown trust in Rohit.
The former Indian captain has already been named in the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting September 27 at home. This effectively ended the immediate retirement speculation around the Hitman.
The selectors and BCCI officials have also hinted that Rohit remains part of India’s white-ball plans as long as his form and fitness continue to meet the requirements. Amid this, 100+ Indian Cricketers to be in action in September-October 2026: Full list, squads and schedule.
Yashasvi Jaiswal likely to open alongside Shubman Gill in New Zealand
But fresh reports suggest that Yashasvi Jaiswal will be tested in the upcoming New Zealand tour. However, it is still not clear whether Rohit would travel to New Zealand for the five-match ODI series, but a Jagran News journalist, Abhishek Tripathi, has dropped a big hint.
He has suggested that 'Yashasvi Jaiswal will open alongside the captain, Shubman Gill, in the crucial ODI series in New Zealand', keeping in mind the ICC ODI World Cup 2027.
With Yashasvi Jaiswal now emerging as a serious option at the top, the New Zealand ODI series could provide an interesting look at how the selectors and the team management manage its experienced stars and younger batting talent ahead of the mega event.
🚨Breaking News🚨
— Indian Cricket 🏏 (@Indiancric1cm) September 17, 2026
"Jaiswal will open alongside Shubman Gill in the New Zealand ODI series."
- [Abhishek Tripathi/ Dainik Jagran] pic.twitter.com/nyJn2DkJQy
Notably, Yashasvi Jaiswal last played an ODI for India against Afghanistan at home in June 2026. The left-handed opener has struck two centuries in his last three ODI matches.
