India’s squad selection for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning January 11, has sparked widespread discussion, especially around the wicketkeeper-batter slot. Reports suggest that Rishabh Pant may not be included in the ODI squad, a move that could open the door for Ishan Kishan’s return to the format.
Pant has not featured in ODIs since August 2024, while Kishan has remained active and impressive across domestic tournaments and is also part of India’s T20 World Cup plans. With the selectors weighing their options, recent domestic performances have added new layers to an already intriguing debate.
Dhruv Jurel’s Statement Knock In Vijay Hazare Trophy
Amid the conversation surrounding Pant and Kishan, Dhruv Jurel has made a strong case for himself through sheer performance. Although he was overlooked for the T20 World Cup squad, the young wicketkeeper-batter responded emphatically with the bat in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Representing Uttar Pradesh against Baroda, Jurel produced a breathtaking unbeaten 160 off just 101 balls.
His innings was laced with eight towering sixes and 15 boundaries, showcasing both power and composure. Striking at an impressive rate of 158.42, Jurel’s knock served as a clear reminder of the depth of talent available in India’s domestic circuit and sent a timely message to the BCCI selectors as they deliberate future combinations.
Ishan Kishan’s Red-Hot Form And Harbhajan Singh’s Praise
While Jurel grabbed headlines with his marathon innings, Ishan Kishan has been equally dominant, if not more explosive. The left-hander enjoyed a stellar Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 517 runs in just 10 innings. He also captained Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali title, delivering a match-winning century in the final.
Carrying that momentum into the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Kishan smashed another sensational hundred, albeit in defeat, during Jharkhand’s opening game. Against Karnataka in Ahmedabad, he reached his century in just 33 balls and ended with a jaw-dropping 125 off 39 deliveries, striking seven fours and 14 sixes at a strike rate of 320.51.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh was full of admiration for Kishan’s fearless approach. “He’s (Ishan) small in stature, but he hits such big shots,” Harbhajan said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
Recalling an exhibition match from the past, Harbhajan added, “I had already recognized his talent earlier. I had come to play a match with him once… I remember that very clearly,” before detailing how Kishan confidently countered both slower and faster deliveries. Such endorsements, combined with Kishan’s consistent performances, have further fueled the selection debate as India looks ahead.
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