3 reasons why India picking Ishan Kishan for IND vs NZ 2026 ODIs would be the right move

In-form wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan, shortly after his shock inclusion in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad, could be set for a comeback in the ODI setup as well for the upcoming three-match home series against New Zealand. According to a report by Sports Tak, fellow glovesman Rishabh Pant might be axed from the squad.

Ishan Kishan recently made the headlines once again after his blistering 33-ball hundred in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy opening clash against Karnataka. He smashed 125 runs off just 39 deliveries in Ahmedabad to make a huge statement in 50-over cricket as well, right after ending the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as the leading run-scorer.

The first ODI between India and New Zealand will take place in Vadodara on January 11, while the squad is expected to be named by the selectors in a week's time.

On that note, let us take a look at three reasons why India picking Ishan Kishan for IND vs NZ 2026 ODIs would be the right move.

#1 He is more in touch with white-ball cricket than Rishabh Pant

A firm advantage that Ishan Kishan has over the current back-up wicket-keeping option in the Indian squad, Rishabh Pant, is the fact that he has been in touch and far more successful in white-ball cricket of late. Ishan Kishan has played limited-overs cricket constantly since his return to cricket, whether it be the IPL or domestic cricket.

Pant, on the other hand, deprived of game time in ODIs and out of the scheme of things in T20Is, has largely become an outsider. He has played only one ODI since November 2022, and his return to the T20I setup did not last long as well.

With the team management's desire to test out as many combinations, and try out personnel, in the long run to the 2027 ODI World Cup, introducing Ishan Kishan, when he is arguably at the peak of his prowess, is the right call. Moreover, the fact that he can serve as a backup opener as well, only strengthens his case for a possible return to the ODI setup.

The fact that he played at No.6 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Jharkhand, right after a prolific SMAT campaign as opener, is a major indicator that he is eyeing the spot in the Indian setup as well.

#2 Ishan Kishan has shown promise as a middle-order batter in ODI cricket

Despite coming into the spotlight as an opening batter, ironically with Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan had to settle for middle-order spots in the national team setup because the top-order has always been stacked. While his famous double hundred and ODI World Cup debut may have come as an opener, the fact of the matter is, he has played in the middle order in more than half of his 24 appearances to date.

In the 15 innings he has featured as a non-opener, he has scored 438 runs at an average of 31.28. Considering that these outings have been sporadic in nature with minimal continuity, it is certainly good enough to go with, when combined with his potential and current form.

In fact, the very first time he featured at No.5, which is similar to the role he is pursuing with the Indian team, he scored a classy 82 against Pakistan in the 2023 Asia Cup to rescue the team out of danger. If he is capable of bringing the ability to play in any gear with efficiency, India could have a viable long-term asset on their hands.

#3 Axar Patel and Washington Sundar's promotion is not a long-term sustainable plan

The reason Rishabh Pant has found himself on the sidelines is India's faith in bowling all-rounders to chip in with contributions even in advanced batting positions.

Since Gautam Gambhir's takeover as head coach in 2024, the team has been relentlessly adamant about having a left-handed batter at No.5. While Rishabh Pant fits the profile, since India already have a wicket-keeping option in KL Rahul, it has given them the license to use the likes of Axar Patel and Washington Sundar in that role.

The ploy, especially the use of Axar Patel, has proved to be beneficial for the team, but it does not strike as a long-term approach. If India are keeping the World Cup in mind, a more specialised option will eventually have to take over the role, more so, since playing three spinners might not be an option in South Africa, at least not for each game.

Considering India's crumbling faith in the left-hand-right-hand pairing, and KL Rahul being criminally underused at No.6, Ishan Kishan's introduction will give the team a combination where the former can be bumped up to No.5, a role where he can have a bigger say and more time to operate.

Another angle that Ishan Kishan brings with him as an option at No.6 is that his explosive batting will be a massive boost in the finishing department, an area that India have struggled with of late. Hardik Pandya has often had to carry the task single-handedly in the death overs as Ravindra Jadeja has often struggled to make an impact, but with help from Ishan Kishan, India could turn into a menacing force with the bat in the closing stages of the innings.

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Edited by Gokul Nair