The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is poised to announce the Indian squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's place under intense scrutiny. The squad announcement, confirmed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia for Saturday afternoon, comes as the final ODI assignment for the team before the T20 World Cup.
Pant's Precarious Position and Kishan's Opportunity
The selection committee faces a key dilemma regarding the wicketkeeping slot. Rishabh Pant, omitted from the T20 World Cup squad, now finds his ODI spot in potential jeopardy. The selectors are reportedly tempted to give a consistent run to Ishan Kishan, who has been named as the backup wicketkeeper to Sanju Samson for the global T20 tournament.
Kishan's compelling performances in domestic cricket across formats have strengthened his case for more game time at the international level. With Samson likely to take the gloves in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand that follows the ODIs, this three-game ODI series presents a prime opportunity for the team management to assess Kishan in the 50-over format.
Gill's Captaincy Return and Series Context
This series marks a significant return for Shubman Gill, who will lead the side for the first time since being dropped from the Indian T20I squad for the World Cup. His leadership and form will be closely watched as India fine-tunes its preparations.
The ODI series against New Zealand, beginning on January 11, holds added importance as it is the last such series before the T20 World Cup. This context is expected to influence the composition of the squad, with selectors possibly weighing short-term combinations against long-term planning.
The Final Call and Broader Implications
The meeting between the BCCI officials and the national selectors will culminate in the official squad announcement. The decision on Pant versus Kishan is more than just a selection for one series; it could signal the direction for the wicketkeeping role in ODIs moving forward.
All eyes are now on the BCCI's official communication, which will reveal whether Pant retains the faith of the selectors or if Kishan's domestic dominance earns him a crucial international window to state his claim.
