New Delhi: With just one wicketkeeper spot and three strong contenders, choosing KL Rahul’s backup wicketkeeper has become challenging for the Ajit Agarkar-led men’s senior selection panel.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 knocking at the door, the ODIs have taken a backseat. However, the battle for the backup wicketkeeper spot in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand which is scheduled to start on January 11, has intensified, with Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel in contention.
During the ODI series against South Africa, Pant served as the backup wicketkeeper, while Jurel was picked solely as a batter. However, Ishan has grabbed selectors attention after forcing his way back into the T20 setup with an impressive Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign.
Ishan Kishan-led Jharkhand won their maiden SMAT title
Ishan Kishan-led Jharkhand won their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title. He amassed 517 runs and has been picked into India’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup as a backup opener. Kishan als scripted history as he became only the second player to score a century (off 45 balls) in the tournament final.
Ishan Kishan’s return to form has put him back in the spotlight after a two-year gap from the national side. Despite being rested by the BCCI after his stunning 39-ball 125 against Karnataka in Jharkhand’s Vijay Hazare Trophy opener, the selectors have since asked him to play two additional matches, according to TOI.
“He (Ishan Kishan) has been given rest by the BCCI team. He has gone back home. He will be back on January 2,” Kumar Kushagra, said during the toss ahead of their match against Rajasthan.
Kishan will feature in Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Kerela
Kishan, currently in Patna, is all set to join Jharkhand squad on January 2 and will feature in matches against Kerala and Madhya Pradesh on January 3 and 6, respectively. “He is in the contention for sure,” a source said.
The 27-year-old came close to being picked for the ODI series against South Africa, but his selection did not receive enough backing from key decision-makers.
“When I was not selected in the Indian team, I felt quite bad because I was doing well. But I told myself that if I am not selected with this sort of performance, then maybe I have to do more. Maybe I have to make my team win. Maybe we have to do well as a unit,” Kishan had said after the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final.
If Kishan is selected, it might seem a little unfair to Rishabh Pant, Test vice-captain as he hasn’t been part of the squad for more than a year. While he is currently leading Delhi in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, he has been in a disappointing form, scoring 97 runs in three matches, including a top score of 70.
Jurel, batting at No. 3 for Uttar Pradesh, ha been in an incredible form, scoring 307 runs across three matches, which includes his first-ever List A century against Baroda. He was also selected for the South Africa ODIs, though only as a specialist batter.
Shubman Gill is all set t make a comeback
Team India captain Shubman Gill is gearing to make a comeback, which means Yashasvi Jaiswal who smashed his maiden ODI century against South Africa, will be excluded. Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is set to return for the New Zealand ODIs, potentially pushing Ruturaj Gaikwad out of the Playing XI.
It will be interesting to see if the selectors opts for a left-handed wicketkeeper-batter as a specialist in the middle order. Kishan, batting at No. 6 against Jharkhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, smashed a 33-ball century, sending a clear message to the selectors. Meanwhile, Pant, has been batting at No. 5 for Delhi. While the two are closely matched, Kishan’s superior fielding in the outfield gives him a notable advantage over India’s Test vice-captain.
