India superstar Virat Kohli will not feature in Delhi's fixture against Railways in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in New Delhi on Tuesday, head coach Sarandeep Singh told PTI.
Iyer, who returned to international action after a long injury layoff following a spleen laceration with internal bleeding sustained during the third ODI against Australia in Sydney in October last year, said he was delighted to begin the series on a winning note.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav would want the attacking batter in him to front up and bolster his leadership against New Zealand when the five-match T20I series gets underway in Nagpur on Wednesday, serving as a final dress rehearsal for India's World Cup title defence in less than three weeks' time.
This series also marks the return of two Indian heavyweights who will be seen in action for the first time in the Indian jersey since the ICC Champions Trophy Final earlier this year.
'I am where I have to be and whatever is written in my destiny no one can take that from me.'
During the warm-ups for the second match against New Zealand in Rajkot on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Kohli was caught on camera perfectly mimicking pacer Mohammed Siraj's bowling action.
India's ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill endured a forgettable return to domestic cricket, falling cheaply in his first outing of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 on Tuesday.
Fans on social media accused Gautam Gambhir of favouritism, questioning Ayush Badoni's inclusion given his modest List A record.
Smriti Mandhana dropped a rung to second but Jemimah Rodrigues scaled nine positions to be 10th in the latest ICC women's ODI rankings after India's title-winning World Cup performance.
Rajaneesh Gupta lists the amazing numbers that make Rohit Sharma one of the finest ODI batters of his time.
Australia batter Matthew Short believes his team's pacers will continue to exploit Virat Kohli's recent weakness outside off stump when India face Australia in the second ODI, in Adelaide, on Thursday.
Former New Zealand player Ian Smith put down the Shubman Gill-led India's recent red ball struggles at home to their diminishing ability against spin.
Vijay Hazare Trophy: Shubman Gill misses Sikkim clash due to food poisoning
NZ will lean on Kyle Jamieson to lead pace attack, Kristian Clarke to debut: Michael Bracewell
Last minute T20 World Cup entrants Scotland have included Afghan-born uncapped pacer Zainullah Ihsan in their 15-member squad for the ICC event beginning in India and Sri Lanka on February 7.
K L Rahul's unbeaten ton was eclipsed by Daryl Mitchell's splendid 131 not out as New Zealand levelled the three-match series 1-1 with a seven-wicket win in the second ODI.
All-rounder Cameron Green will miss the three-match ODI series against India due to side soreness.
'The Pakistani team visited India in 2005-2006, and there was a grand dinner. He urged me to get on stage and speak on behalf of the Punjab Cricket Association!' 'Imagine, a coach from Pakistan speaking on behalf of the PCA!'
Under Rohit Sharma, India won the 2018 and 2023 ODI Asia Cup, runners-up position in the 2023 World Cup at home and triumphed in the the ICC Champions Trophy in March.
If Iyer is cleared for international duty, Mumbai will need to appoint a new captain for the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockouts, which begin on January 12.
Axar Patel revealed how a life-changing advice from the great Mahendra Singh Dhoni in 2021 played a big role in turning around his career.
Ishan Kishan's sensational comeback and Sanju Samson's inconsistent displays with the bat will reignite debate over who should be Abhishek Sharma's preferred opening partner.
The Mumbai batter is available to play Vijay Hazare Trophy match on Jan 6.
Shubman Gill is set to use the Vijay Hazare Trophy as his first platform for response after being left out of India's 2026 T20 World Cup squad.
Quinton de Kock seems to have found another gear since his return to cricket and the South African attributed the new-found freedom in his batting to a mind without any 'baggage'.
Mitchell says adapting to Kuldeep key after series-levelling win
India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav along with four other members of the team went on a jungle safari in the Pench Tiger Reserve on Monday ahead of the opening match of the five-game series with New Zealand beginning at Nagpur on January 21.
India to tour Bangladesh for three-match ODI and T20I series in September
Bangladesh spinners wreaked havoc with the ball as they picked up all 10 wickets to help the hosts rout West Indies by 179 runs in the third and final ODI in Dhaka on Thursday.
Ravindra Jadeja was not picked for the ODI series in Australia, something he said was "not a surprise" after being informed of the team management's plans.
India's young fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy should be persisted with and the cricket fraternity must not rush to pass judgement, former players Aakash Chopra, Robin Uthappa, and Manoj Tiwary said on Thursday.
'It could be a slightly unpopular choice because he hasn't scored even 1,000 runs in List A cricket.'
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt scored a hundred for the ages before the seasoned Marizanne Kapp made the ball talk in good batting conditions to script a 125-run victory over England and enter their maiden Women's ODI Cup final, in Guwahati, on Wednesday.
'It was good fun. I was obviously really nervous. Super stoked for the boys to get the win.'
Saim Ayub scored 77 from 70 balls as Pakistan eased to a seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the third and final One-day International in Faisalabad on Saturday to clinch the series 2-1.
Former New Zealand all-rounder Doug Bracewell has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Monday, as per the ICC website.
India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill signed off a defining 2025 with a message of gratitude and resolve
Shubman Gill on Thursday said he would look to imbibe the 'calmness' that his predecessor Rohit Sharma brought to the dressing room
Canada, making their second appearance at the tournament, are in Group D alongside South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates.
Washington ruled out of T20I series against NZ; Bishnoi, Iyer added to squad
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