The stellar form of batsmen Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan and Ruturaj Gaikwad in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 has put the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel under immense pressure as they prepare to finalize the squad for the ODI series against New Zealand.
India’s No.4 puzzle: Padikkal, Sarfaraz or Gaikwad for New Zealand ODI?
India is all set to host New Zealand in a three-match ODI series against New Zealand from January 11, 2026. The selection committee will reportedly meet on January 2 or 3 to finalize the squad for the upcoming New Zealand series.
Also read: Cold war between Mohammed Shami-Ajit Agarkar ends, BCCI hints at the fast bowler’s return to India against New Zealand
At present the Indian selection committee is facing a pleasant but dramatic dilemma. The injury cloud over Shreyas Iyer has left the crucial No. 4 spot open, and the trio of in-form Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan and Ruturaj Gaikwad have made a compelling bid to get through to the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26.
The case of Devdutt Padikkal: unstoppable continuity
Padikkal is not just scoring runs, he is redefining form. With three centuries in his last four Vijay Hazare matches, the left-handed batsman is in a difficult position for the selectors to ignore.
He scored 147 runs against Jharkhand on 24 December and just two days later he scored 124 runs against Kerala at the same ground. And now on December 31, the Karnataka star scored 113 runs in 116 balls against Puducherry.
His last 12 List A innings seem like a dream: 6 centuries and 4 fifties at an average of 81.51. This load of runs, sheer consistency and left-handed option in the middle order can definitely compel the selectors to give Padikkal a chance to make his ODI debut.
Sarfaraz Khan’s explosive form in Vijay Hazare Trophy
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz has also ensured that his name remains firmly in the conversation. The Mumbai batsman played a breathtaking innings against Goa in Jaipur and scored 157 runs in just 75 balls. Earlier in the tournament, he had played a quick inning of 55 runs in 49 balls against Uttarakhand on 26 December.
Also read: BCCI bans Shreyas Iyer’s return, refuses approval at the last moment
Sarfaraz is still awaiting his first ODI cap, but his performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy may make the selectors think about him. Although the right-handed batsman has just 692 runs to his name in 40 List-A matches, his international cricket experience in Test cricket could help him earn his first ODI call-up.
Gaikwad has emerged as a safe middle-order option for India
Ruturaj Gaikwad, on the other hand, brings both form and international experience to the selection debate. He has already played nine ODIs and was recently a part of India’s home series against South Africa, where he scored his maiden ODI century.
In the South Africa series, Gaikwad batted at number four in the absence of Shreyas Iyer, who was recovering from an abdominal injury suffered during the tour of Australia in October. Then, Gaikwad once again showed his credibility with his stellar performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
He proved his ability to handle the innings and handle pressure in the middle order by scoring 124 runs in 113 balls against Uttarakhand in Jaipur. If Iyer is given more time to recover from injury for the New Zealand series, his form and experience could help him retain his ODI spot.
