Beyond the Ro-Ko mania, the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand offers very little in terms of preparations for the 2027 World Cup. The shortest format is the flavour of the season, with the T20 World Cup a little over a month away.
From the perspective of the fans, however, it’s about getting entertained, and India boast the game’s two biggest entertainers in the 50-over format — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The first game is in Vadodara on January 11. It’s already sold out.
Two-thirds of India’s ODI squad picks itself. This time, however, the selectors face a few tricky calls, as they are likely to meet online on Saturday to pick the XV. RevSportz was the first to report that Ishan Kishan has been in the reckoning to return to India’s 50-over fold on the heels of his selection for the T20I series against New Zealand followed by the ICC showpiece. The Jharkhand captain, who has the fastest double hundred in ODIs, last played for India in this format in October 2023. A few months later, he would lose his central contract, ostensibly for snubbing domestic cricket. All is well now.
If Ishan is included, will Rishabh Pant be dropped? The wicketkeeper-batter has failed to replicate his red-ball mojo in the white-ball varieties. A tally of 871 runs at 33.50 in 31 ODIs attests that. Then again, he has been part of the 50-over set-up since the Champions Trophy without getting a game — the designated second-choice to KL Rahul. On what basis will he be left out?
“I will have Rishabh Pant in my 15 for the ODI series against New Zealand,” Aakash Chopra said on his Instagram handle. “You have had him in the team since Champions Trophy, can’t remove him without playing him.”
The former India opener talked logic. At the same time, he doesn’t take decisions. If the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee wants to have three wicketkeeper-batters in the squad, a la the home ODI series against South Africa, then Ishan could be brought in at the expense of Dhruv Jurel. Else, it’s a straight fight between the two southpaws.
After missing the three ODIs against the Proteas due to a neck injury, Shubman Gill will return to lead the side. If Pant is retained, then Tilak Varma might have to make way to accommodate the skipper. Devdutt Padikkal has scored three centuries in four matches in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. The Karnataka player deserves a real shout out, but team combination could be an impediment. It’s unlikely that the selectors and the team management would be dropping Washington Sundar and upsetting team balance.
Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, the two most important cogs in India’s T20 World Cup wheel, are set to be rested. Bumrah hasn’t played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup final against Australia. Pandya’s last game in this format was the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand on March 9 last year. And the selectors are unlikely to take chances with them ahead of the ICC event, given their injury record.
Mohammed Siraj was rested for the South Africa ODIs and he might be picked for the series against New Zealand. Mohammed Shami, too, is said to be in the conversation after proving his form and fitness in domestic cricket. If the veteran fast bowler is not picked, then in all likelihood it would be the end of the road for him as far as international cricket is concerned.
Who would be Pandya’s replacement if the all-rounder is rested? Nitish Kumar Reddy was in the squad in the last home ODI series. This time, it is learnt that Shivam Dube is suddenly in the mix.
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