Two major talking points coming out of the ODI squad selection that took place on Saturday were the omissions of top-order specialist, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan. If we solely focus on form, both seem to be in good rhythm across formats and have been performing with consistency. Their exclusions have raised questions among experts and fans, with some visibly baffled.
Speaking of Gaikwad, he has a List-A average of 57, and has recently also made his presence felt with a monumental century against Uttarakhand in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. He had previously got a chance to showcase his talent in the ODI series against South Africa, where he scored a brilliant 105 in the second match. But the catch was that the selectors had chosen him keeping the opening spot in mind, since captain Shubman Gill was still recovering from a neck injury.
The team management made him play at No. 4, since middle-order specialist and designated vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer, was also unavailable as he had sustained an injury in the Australian series. With Shreyas back in the squad, subject to fitness clearance from the Centre of Excellence (CoE), and given his brilliant track record in ODIs – including ICC tournaments like the Champions Trophy and the 2023 World Cup – Gaikwad, unfortunately, has been left out. With Gill too making a comeback as the captain of the team, there is no place as back-up opener either – Yashaswi Jaiswal is already there. Jaiswal too had a 100 against South Africa in the recent series but with Gill back, he also has to sit out.
Kishan has been in brilliant rhythm with match-winning knocks in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), where he captained Jharkhand to victory, and also with a recent century against Karnataka at the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He was also a part of the World Cup squad in 2023 and has the fastest ODI double-century to his name.
However, with KL Rahul, India’s first-choice wicket keeper, also in great shape and contributing with the bat in the South Africa series, the chances of Kishan being considered were very slim. On the other hand, Rishabh Pant was part of the ODI squads, warming the bench since the Champions Trophy began. Despite the fact that his ODI stats – an average of 33 – are not as impressive as his red-ball ones, the team management and skipper Gill believes that he must be given proper chances before they come to a decision.
Pant has not played an ODI since 2024, despite being in the squad. He does have a good strike-rate of 106.22, reflecting his fearless, aggressive approach, which could prove beneficial for the team if utilised well. Additionally, Kishan bats at the top, and there simply isn’t place there.
There can be no debate about the skill sets that they bring to the table, but at times, team combination takes precedence over individual records when it comes to selection. As a result, certain talented players miss out. They have done nothing wrong, but with the embarrassment of batting riches India have in white-ball cricket, it is inevitable that some capable players will be sidelined.
Kishan will at least feature in the T20 World Cup, as he is in the squad. With less than 40 days to go for that, the team management definitely would not be taking undue risks and would like to give him adequate rest,
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