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Rishabh Pant out, Ishan Kishan back; Report gives key details on India ODI squad vs NZ

Debashis Sarangi

Ishan Kishan could replace Rishabh Pant vs NZ [Source: AFP]Ishan Kishan could replace Rishabh Pant vs NZ [Source: AFP]

In a major development, it has been reported that swashbuckling batter Rishabh Pant might be dropped from India's ODI squad for the New Zealand series. According to India Today, the BCCI selection committee is mulling over excluding Rishabh Pant and adding Ishan Kishan to the ODI scheme of things. 

The same report also states that Shubman Gill will likely return to the team after recovering from a neck injury. Meanwhile, doubts still loom over Shreyas Iyer, who has yet to get fully fit from a spleen injury that he sustained on the Australia tour. 

Rishabh Pant's exclusion likely; Ishan Kishan could get into IND squad for NZ ODIs

Rishabh Pant made a much-awaited ODI comeback for the South Africa series on home soil. However, the Indian think tank made Pant warm the bench throughout the series, even preferring Tilak Varma over him for the decider in Visakhapatnam.

Although Rishabh Pant didn't play a single match in the Champions Trophy as well as the South Africa series, Ishan Kishan's red-hot recent form is said to be one of the significant reasons behind his wildcard entry into India's ODI squad for the New Zealand series. 

Ishan Kishan last played an ODI in 2023, when India faced Afghanistan in the World Cup. Shubman Gill eventually replaced him as Rohit Sharma's opening partner, shutting the door for him to enter India's ODI squad as a top-order player. 

Ishan Kishan vs Rishabh Pant: White-ball form to determine India's 2nd WK vs NZ

Talking about Rishabh Pant, the Delhi batter has barely played any white-ball cricket after the IPL 2025. After having a torrid time in the South Africa Tests, Pant blew hot and cold in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 75 runs across two innings at an average of 37.50. 

On the contrary, Ishan Kishan has showcased remarkable form in recent times. The explosive keeper-batter not only scored the most runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy but also led Jharkhand to a historic triumph in the final. 

Ishan extended his purple patch to the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well, amassing a blistering 33-ball century in his very first outing. Interestingly, Ishan, who generally plays at the top order, smashed the second-fastest List-A hundred for India at number six. Thus, his recent form could be one of the major factors why the Indian team wants him back in the ODI team. 

In 24 ODI innings, Ishan Kishan has amassed 933 runs at an average of 42.40 and a strike rate of 102.19. He holds the record for the fastest double hundred in ODI history, having attained the milestone in just 126 deliveries against Bangladesh. 

Thus, considering his form, Ishan's ODI comeback will definitely add quality and depth to the Indian team, which is seeking some firepower in the middle order.