Soon after getting selected in India’s T20 World Cup squad, Ishan Kishan is reported to make a long-awaited ODI comeback in the forthcoming 3-match series against New Zealand at home in January 2026.
However, the latest reports reveal that Rishabh Pant might be snubbed from India’s squad for the ODI series scheduled on 11th, 14th, and 18th of January in Vadodara, Rajkot, and Indore, respectively.
While Pant hasn’t featured in ODIs since August 2024, Ishan emerges as the strongest contender for the wicketkeeper-batter role given his impressive form in domestic cricket.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2026: Reaction of Ishan Kishan to His Selection in Team India Squad!
India’s ODI squad is expected to be revealed within a week. Meanwhile, let’s analyze the five core reasons why Ishan Kishan is preferred over Rishabh Pant and how it can prove to be the right move for selectors.
1. Aggressive Intent to Score Runs
Ishan Kishan’s brutal knock of 135 runs from just 39 balls against Karnataka proved his aggressive approach in T20 cricket. Having batted at No.6 for Jharkhand, he accumulated runs at a batting strike rate of 320.51, which included 7 fours and 14 sixes.
Selectors are keen to include a destructive wicketkeeper-batter in the middle order, who can change the tempo and accelerate the team’s innings in the death overs.
While Rishabh Pant, on the other hand, managed to score a fifty-plus score only once, Delhi, under his captaincy, triumphed over Gujarat by 7 runs.
2. Selectors Keen on Current Form in Domestic Cricket Tournaments
India would aim to start the ODI cricket calendar 2026 on a winning note, having a strong squad equipped with in-form players.
In other words, the selection would be based on recent form in domestic cricket rather than preferring records and achievements.
After topping the charts in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025, Ishan Kishan’s consistency makes him the most valuable inclusion in the squad.
Ishan amassed 517 runs in 10 matches of the SMAT 2025, and here are his best high-scoring knocks against these teams:
- 113 runs (not out) off 50 balls (including 10 fours and 8 sixes) vs Tripura.
- 101 runs off 49 balls vs Haryana in the final match.
- 93 runs off 50 balls (including 11 fours and 3 sixes) vs Saurashtra.
- 63 runs off 30 balls (including 4 fours and 4 sixes) vs Madhya Pradesh.
- 47 runs off 23 balls (including 8 fours and 1 six) vs Punjab.
- 35 runs off 18 balls (including 5 fours and 2 sixes) vs Andhra.
3. Ishan’s Flexibility vs Rishabh’s Unsettled Slot
Ishan Kishan has proven his adaptability to bat as an opener and middle-order batter in the recent domestic tournaments. His aggressive intent in the powerplay overs as an opening batter during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 promises to provide a flyer start to the innings alongside Rohit Sharma.
On the other side, the wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul is likely to retain his batting at No.5, given Ishan’s ability to bat down the order. Also, he can prove to be a backup keeper for Rahul in the squad.
Regardless of the extended gap, the 27-year-old’s surge in limited-overs cricket sends a clear message to selectors to see a versatile ODI role for him right now.
While Pant’s ODI role hasn’t been clear so far, the skillset required in red-ball and white ball cricket varies greatly.
4. Pant’s ODI Absence and Lack of Domestic Cricket Touch
Apart from being a regular player in test cricket, Rishabh Pant rarely featured in India’s white ball format, which includes his last ODI appearance against Sri Lanka back in August 2024.
Although he scored a solid 70-run knock for Delhi, but isn’t appealing compared to Ishan Kishan’s destructive style of batting.
However, with both of them being left-handed batters and possessing wicketkeeping skills, the selectors would definitely pick the one showing the best form and results.
5. Long-Term Planning Ahead of ODI World Cup 2027
Ajit Agarkar’s led the BCCI selection committee, plans to bolster India’s middle-order batting line-up with Ishan Kishan’s inclusion.
Despite Rishabh Pant being part of India’s triumphant squad in the Champions Trophy 2025, he was benched throughout the tournament. His poor run with the bat in the recent home test series against South Africa poses concerns about the team’s balance in the long run.
So, retaining an experienced player like Pant in the longest format, where his role is well settled, will open multiple options for Team India. This allows selectors to actively search for a player with proven match-winning abilities in domestic and international cricket.
Ever since Gautam Gambhir became the Indian team’s head coach, he adamantly prioritized all-rounders rather than specialist batters and bowlers.
However, promoting spin bowling all-rounders like Axar Patel and Washington Sundar above the batting order won’t fetch favorable results on a long-term basis.
With the 2027 World Cup on the way, it’s time for India to prefer a specialist like Ishan Kishan for the finisher’s role.
