Rishabh Pant may be dropped from New Zealand ODIs, another wicketkeeper likely to return

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Discussions have intensified regarding the Indian team selection ahead of next month's three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand. The series is scheduled to begin on January 11th, and it is believed that the team announcement could be imminent. Meanwhile, media reports are claiming that Rishabh Pant's selection for this series could be difficult.

Pant could be dropped from the ODI series against New Zealand, this wicketkeeper could return; an update also came regarding Gill: If Pant doesn't find a place in the team, the door could open for wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan to return to the ODI team. Ishan was recently included in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup and the T20 series against New Zealand. His impressive performances in domestic cricket have once again caught the attention of the selectors.

Rishabh Pant last played an ODI for India on August 7, 2024, against Sri Lanka. He was subsequently included in the squad for the ODI series against South Africa, but did not make the playing eleven. According to reports, the selectors are considering exploring other options instead of Pant for the New Zealand series.

In Pant's absence, Ishan Kishan is considered a strong contender for a place in the ODI team. Ishan last played an ODI for India against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup. He has been out of the team since then. However, he was the highest run-scorer in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and played a key role in Jharkhand's first-ever title. He scored a brilliant century against Haryana in the final. Furthermore, Ishan maintained his form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring a century against Karnataka in 33 balls, making it the second-fastest century for India in List A cricket.

The picture regarding the captaincy is also unclear. Shubman Gill is expected to return to the ODI team as captain after recovering from injury. He missed the series against South Africa due to a neck injury. Meanwhile, the availability of vice-captain Shreyas Iyer remains uncertain. Shreyas, who was injured during the Australia tour, has resumed training at the BCCI's Center of Excellence, but has not yet received permission to play.

KL Rahul led the team in the ODI series against South Africa, and India won the series 2-1. Rishabh Pant is currently playing for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he has scored 5 and 70 runs in two matches so far.