Selection of Rishabh Pant is difficult, Ishan Kishan may get a chance –

By Samira Vishwas On Dec 28, 2025

Tezzbuzz Desk- The Indian team can be announced soon for the three-match ODI series to be played between India and New Zealand next month. This series will start from January 11. Meanwhile, it is being claimed in media reports that the selection of Rishabh Pant for this series seems difficult, while the doors may open for wicketkeeper batsman Ishan Kishan to return to the team.

According to reports, the selectors have made up their mind to go ahead with Rishabh Pant for the ODI series against New Zealand. Pant played his last ODI match for India on 7 August 2024 against Sri Lanka. After this, his name was definitely included in the team for the ODI series against South Africa, but he did not get a chance to play even a single match.

Currently, Pant is representing the Delhi team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he has scored 5 and 70 runs in the first two matches.

In the possible absence of Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan is considered a strong contender for a place in the ODI team. Ishan played his last ODI match for India in the ODI World Cup 2023 against Afghanistan. Since then he was out of the ODI team.

However, his recent performances in domestic cricket have caught the attention of the selectors. Ishan was the leading run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, playing a key role in helping Jharkhand win its first title, scoring a brilliant century against Haryana in the final. After this, he continued his tremendous form in Vijay Hazare Trophy also and scored a century against Karnataka in just 33 balls, which is the second fastest century by an Indian in List A cricket.

After recovering from injury, Shubman Gill may return as ODI captain. Gill could not take part in the ODI series against South Africa due to a neck injury.

However, it is not yet clear whether vice-captain Shreyas Iyer will be available for the New Zealand series or not. Shreyas was injured during the Australia tour. He has started practicing in the nets at BCCI’s Center of Excellence, but has not yet received official approval to play.