India’s selectors are set to prioritize current home form rather than past reputation while finalizing the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11, 2026. Rishabh Pant There is a risk of missing out, while the chances are greatly increased Ishan Kishan To act as a backup wicketkeeper behind KL Rahul,
The move underlines a broader selection philosophy that focuses on rewarding players who deliver consistent results in domestic cricket, especially as India prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Ishan Kishan’s home advantage strengthens his case
Kishan has been one of the standout performers in India’s domestic season, which is a compelling argument for a comeback at the national level. He topped the run charts in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, leading Jharkhand to its first title and finished the campaign with a memorable century in the final.
He has continued that momentum by scoring a blistering century in 33 balls in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, which is indicative of peak form. The innings has particularly attracted attention as Kishan has not played an ODI since October 2023, yet he looks sharper, more confident and tactically evolved than before.
Selectors reportedly value not only his numbers, but also his consistency and intent, especially in the top order – these attributes are considered important in modern ODI cricket.
Rishabh Pant’s ODI future under scrutiny
Meanwhile, Pant has not taken part in an ODI against Sri Lanka since August 2024. Although he was named in the squad for the South Africa series, he did not get any games, and reports suggest that the selectors are now considering moving on from him for the New Zealand ODIs.
Concerns have focused on his inconsistent domestic performances, particularly in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he has struggled to make reliable contributions. While Pant remains an X-factor batsman with match-winning ability, the selectors are not convinced about his current rhythm and reliability at a time when India are strengthening the combination ahead of the next World Cup cycle.
How is the wicketkeeper race?
A snapshot of the current contenders highlights why Kishan is leading the way:
- Ishan Kishan – Last ODI: October 2023 Recent highlights: Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 title for Jharkhand, vijay hazare century Strengths: Aggressive opening batsman, consistent domestic form
- Rishabh Pant – Last ODI: August 2024 Recent Highlights: Included in squad but made no appearance vs South Africa | Strengths: Explosive batting, excellent wicketkeeping skills
Reports indicate that Kishan has overtaken options like Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma, making him potentially the second-choice keeper for the series.
KL Rahul’s role will remain unchanged
First choice keeper-batsman remains steadfast
Despite the debate over the backup spot, KL Rahul remains India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman in ODIs. The competition is entirely for reserved roles, but it represents an important test of India’s rotation policy – a policy that gives more preference to in-form home performers over established names going through a rough patch.
Also read: Top 5 contenders for 2025 ICC Cricketer of the Year Award