Article By Suvankar Roy
In a significant shift for India’s One Day International (ODI) future, Rishabh Pant appears set to lose his spot in the squad. Stepping into the void is the explosive Ishan Kishan, marking a major tactical pivot in India’s upcoming cricket roadmap.
The New Zealand Series: A Turning Point
India is preparing to host New Zealand for a three-match ODI series from January 11th to 18th. Sources suggest that due to team combination requirements and recent performance metrics, Pant may find himself on the sidelines. This series marks India’s final home assignment of the season, with the squad announcement expected later this week.
The Rise of Ishan Kishan
After a prolonged hiatus, Ishan Kishan is knocking loudly on the doors of the national team thanks to a sensational run in domestic cricket. With Pant likely absent, Kishan has emerged as the frontrunner to take over the gloves.
It has been nearly two years since Kishan last donned the Blue jersey in an ODI, with his last appearance dating back to the 2023 World Cup match against Afghanistan on October 11th. Despite being out of the national setup, he has been in blistering form:
- Captaincy Success: He led Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title.
- Record-Breaking Performance: He finished as the top run-getter in the tournament, punctuated by a stunning century in the final.
- Fastest Century: In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, Kishan smashed a century off just 33 balls, the second-fastest in List A history
Is Rishabh Pant’s Future in Jeopardy?
The big question remains: where does this leave Rishabh Pant? Pant last played an ODI on August 7, 2024, against Sri Lanka. Although he was part of the recent South Africa tour, he failed to make the playing XI.
Currently captaining Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Pant’s scores have been inconsistent, recording 5 and 70 in his last two outings. While selectors are keeping a close watch, it is likely he will be rested or dropped for the New Zealand series to make way for Kishan’s momentum.
Squad Updates: Gill and Iyer
In other team news, Shubman Gill is expected to return to the squad and resume his leadership role after recovering from injury. Meanwhile, Vice-Captain Shreyas Iyer is still regaining full fitness; although he has begun training at the National Centre of Excellence, his participation remains a subject of speculation.