Rishabh Pant's place in India's ODI squad is reportedly under scrutiny, with Ishan Kishan emerging as a strong contender to replace him, fueled by his impressive domestic performances. India's upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11, 2026, is no longer viewed as an opportunity to experiment, but rather a platform to field players who are currently delivering results in domestic cricket and fit specific roles within the team.
Pant's recent ODI appearances have been sporadic. His last ODI match was on August 7, 2024, against Sri Lanka. He was also part of the ODI squad in South Africa but did not play. This suggests a shift in India's strategy towards prioritizing clearly defined roles over rotating players, potentially putting Pant at a disadvantage.
Adding to the pressure on Pant is his inconsistent performance in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, where he is captaining Delhi. While he scored 70 in one match, he also registered a score of 5 in another. In the middle order, where India seeks stability from its wicketkeeper-batter, such inconsistency can be detrimental.
Ishan Kishan, on the other hand, has been in stellar form. He recently played a crucial role in Jharkhand's victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He carried his form into the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring a rapid 125 off 39 balls against Karnataka. This strong showing has put him firmly in contention for a spot in the ODI squad.
Ishan Kishan's ability to bat in the middle order in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is a smart move, given the lack of openings at the top of the order in the Indian team.
Pant's ODI record has been a subject of debate. In 31 matches, he has scored 871 runs at an average of 33.50, with one century and five half-centuries. While he remains a formidable force in Test cricket, he is yet to replicate the same impact in the limited-overs format.
Shubman Gill is expected to return as captain for the New Zealand series. However, Shreyas Iyer's availability remains uncertain as he awaits full clearance. KL Rahul has been a key player in ODIs, scoring 367 runs in 15 matches in 2025 at an average of 52.43.
With the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, India might be looking at younger options like Ishan Kishan, who is one year younger and in good form, while KL Rahul can continue to play as a pure batter.
