Rishabh Pant is reportedly set to miss out on India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series, with the BCCI selectors expected to make changes ahead of the home assignment.
India are set to host New Zealand in a three-match ODI series from January 11 to 18, but star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is likely to be left out of the squad. The series will begin at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on January 11, followed by matches in Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January 18. World No. 1 ODI side India are expected to announce their squad later this week.
According to a report by Sports Tak, Pant is set to be dropped for the final home ODI series of the 2025–26 season. The 28-year-old was part of India’s squad for the recent ODI series against South Africa but did not feature in any of the three matches, serving as the second-choice wicketkeeper.
ALSO READ | Scott Boland Names Rishabh Pant as Toughest Batter He Has Faced
Pant is currently leading Delhi in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy and last played an ODI for India on August 7, 2024, against Sri Lanka in Colombo. His absence could open the door for Ishan Kishan, who is reportedly in contention for an ODI recall after more than two years.
India’s ODI captain Shubman Gill, who missed the South Africa series due to a neck injury, has recovered and is set to lead the side against Michael Bracewell’s New Zealand. Kishan has been in outstanding form in domestic cricket, finishing as the leading run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 and guiding Jharkhand to their maiden title. He also smashed a 33-ball century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the second-fastest List A hundred by an Indian batter.
This article follows WicketWatcher’s editorial standards. Learn more in our Editorial Policy or report an issue via our Corrections Policy.