Shubman Gill SAVED Rishabh Pant from ODI axing by blocking Ishan Kishan’s return! Shocking details emerge

Team India captain Shubman Gill has backed Rishabh Pant as the backup wicketkeeper to KL Rahul for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The selectors did not discuss Mohammed Shami, as they still have doubts about whether his fitness is ready for the demands of international cricket.

On January 3, the Board of Control for Cricket in India named a 15-player squad. Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer returned to the squad after recovering from injuries, while Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma were axed. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya was rested to manage his workload with an eye on the T20 World Cup 2026.

Selectors Back Rishabh Pant Over Ishan Kishan for New Zealand ODIs

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar attended a Vijay Hazare Trophy match in Jaipur with co-selector RP Singh. He looked relaxed, as the ODI squad for the New Zealand series was already clear. The selectors held the meeting online and did not face much pressure while finalizing the team.

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The selectors discussed whether Ishan Kishan should return to the ODI side after his T20I comeback and domestic form. He remains on their radar, but they decided not to bring him back yet.

The selectors backed Rishabh Pant as the preferred wicketkeeper option. Pant has been in India’s ODI plans since the Champions Trophy, and the selectors want to give him a fair chance. Rishabh Pant was with the Indian team but did not feature in the playing XI during the three-match ODI series against South Africa.

Shubman Gill Backs Rishabh Pant Over Ishan Kishan as KL Rahul’s ODI Backup - Report

According to a report by RevSportz, Shubman Gill backed the decision to include Rishabh Pant over Ishan Kishan. The selection committee also agreed that Pant should continue to be KL Rahul’s backup in the ODIs.

"It is learnt that Gill, too, spoke in favour of Pant, and the skipper and the selection committee were completely aligned that Pant should continue to be KL Rahul’s back-up in the ODIs," the report stated.

Pant last played an ODI against Sri Lanka in August 2024. He has been part of the squad as the backup wicketkeeper to KL Rahul, but has not featured in the playing XI.

Pant has scored 871 runs in 31 ODIs at an average of 33.5, including one century and five half-centuries. The left-handed batter is playing for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he has scored 188 runs in five matches at an average of 47.00 and a strike rate of 105.02, including two half-centuries.

Mohammed Shami Never in Contention for Selection for New Zealand ODIs

The report added that Mohammed Shami was never in contention for selection, as his name did not come up during the selection meeting. The selectors and team management remain unconvinced about his fitness for the demands of top-level international cricket.

Notably, the selectors stayed with Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna, while Mohammed Siraj returned to the squad for the New Zealand ODIs. Shami is Bengal’s leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The veteran seamer has taken 11 wickets in five matches in the tournament and recently delivered a strong all-round performance against Assam. However, his last international outing came at the 2025 Champions Trophy in the UAE, with selectors now clearly focusing on a younger group of fast bowlers.

Also read: Shubman Gill’s 2026 begins HORRIBLY as fresh illness delays Vijay Hazare Trophy comeback