The national senior selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will convene online to finalize India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The focus will be on whether Rishabh Pant can secure his spot in the team. Players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who featured in the recent ODI series victory against South Africa, are expected to be part of the squad.
The ODI series against New Zealand is scheduled to commence in Vadodara on January 11, followed by matches in Rajkot and Indore on January 14 and 18, respectively. Pant’s inclusion in the squad is a topic of serious discussion due to his inconsistent form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Despite Pant’s struggles, KL Rahul’s strong performances as a wicketkeeper-batsman have limited Pant’s opportunities in the team.
Pant, who last played an ODI in August 2024, has faced challenges with his recent domestic performances. The emergence of Ishan Kishan and Dhruv Jurel further complicates Pant’s position in the team. With limited chances in the T20I and ODI sides, Pant will need to showcase his skills in the IPL and upcoming Tests to remain relevant in India’s white-ball plans.
The selection committee may also discuss the inclusion of Devdutt Padikkal, who has been in impressive form with three centuries in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The return of captain Shubman Gill and the presence of other talented batters like Rohit, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad pose selection challenges.
As Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are set to be rested for the ODIs, the series might feature players like Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. The comeback of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami remains uncertain. In the spin department, the presence of Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav provides stability to the team.
