Breaking: Team India announce 15-man ODI squad for New Zealand series

New Zealand are due to tour India for a limited-overs series, which will include three ODIs and three T20Is

Batsman KL Rahul has been dropped from India's 15-member squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand that begins in Mumbai on October 22. Replacing the right-hander will be Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, who was not a part of the Indian squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka and Australia. Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik said he was proud and privileged to be part of the present India team led by Virat Kohli, which has been doing very well and felt it was set to leave a legacy in the next few years as one of the greatest (Indian teams) ever. Karthik last played worldwide cricket earlier this year, when India took on West Indies in a 5-match ODI series held in the Caribbean Islands.

Ajinkya Rahane has been called up this time who would play as a third opener with both specialist openers Rohit and Dhawan making the cut already. KL Rahul missed out on making the cut this time also. Manish Pandey has had a promising recitals so far and he has well put his position in the comfort zone.

Top order batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who missed the ODI series against Australia due to his wife's ailment, also returns to the squad for the 50-over format. The selection committee believes that since Umesh, Shami and Rahul will not find a place in the eleven, they should be given the opportunity to play in the Ranji Trophy. There is no place for Indian discards Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, while Ravichandran Ashwin, who passed the Yo-Yo Test at the NCA earlier this week, and his spin twin in Tests, Ravindra Jadeja continue to be out of the ODI setup as the Indian selectors are continuing to give chances to the impressive wrist spin duo of Yuzi Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav along with slow left-arm spinner Axar Patel.

India ODI squad for New Zealand ODIs: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shardul Thakur.