Rishabh Pant Replaces KL Rahul in India’s Predicted XI vs New Zealand
Rishabh Pant has replaced KL Rahul in India’s predicted XI for the first ODI against New Zealand, as veteran Irfan Pathan shared his playing XI ahead of the three-match series starting January 11 in Vadodara. The inclusion of Pant signals a tactical shift, with the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter expected to provide stability in the middle order. India aims to bounce back after recent setbacks, with a strong squad focused on adapting to the conditions and setting a dominant tone for the series.
Pant Gets Nod Over KL Rahul
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan revealed his suggested India lineup on his YouTube channel, making a bold call to include Rishabh Pant over KL Rahul in the wicketkeeper-batter slot.
“If you want to experiment, this is your time. KL Rahul has already cemented his spot at number four or five and has shown flexibility in his batting. Rahul should be rested with Rishabh Pant getting the opportunity. He is a match-winner in Test cricket,” Pathan explained.
This decision highlights India’s willingness to try fresh combinations ahead of the 2026 ODI series, giving Pant a chance to make an impact in limited-overs cricket.
Irfan Pathan’s Predicted Playing XI
Pathan’s suggested playing XI for India in the 1st ODI:
- Shubman Gill (C)
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer (VC)
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Washington Sundar
- Harshit Rana / Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh / Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Siraj
Pathan suggested that Kuldeep Yadav could potentially replace either Arshdeep Singh or Harshit Rana in the playing XI, depending on the prevailing match conditions and pitch behavior. He mentioned that Kuldeep’s inclusion would offer the team a more balanced attack, especially in conditions where spin would play a crucial role.
If the pitch is expected to assist spinners, Kuldeep’s ability to turn the ball and take wickets in the middle overs could provide India with an edge. On the other hand, if the conditions favored pace, Arshdeep or Harshit could retain their spots to add more firepower to the bowling attack. Furthermore, he emphasized that Mohammed Siraj would continue to lead the pace attack, given his consistency and ability to make breakthroughs with the new ball.
Inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy
Despite below-par returns in his white-ball career, Pathan retained young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, citing the scarcity of fast-bowling all-rounders capable of bowling at around 130 kmph. Reddy’s inclusion provides balance to the Indian side, offering both batting depth and pace-bowling support.
Veteran Stars Leading the Charge
The series sees the return of India’s experienced stars: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shreyas Iyer. Shubman Gill will lead the side, aiming to guide India to a winning start in the 2026 ODI season.
Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja will provide all-round support, while the pace attack is expected to be led by Mohammed Siraj with contributions from Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. Kuldeep Yadav offers spin options depending on pitch conditions.
Strategic Outlook for 1st ODI
Pant’s inclusion signals India’s readiness to experiment and adapt in limited-overs cricket. With KL Rahul resting, Pant has the opportunity to showcase his skills at the top level. The rest of the lineup combines experience, form, and youth, providing a balanced team capable of handling New Zealand’s batting depth.
This predicted XI reflects strategic thinking from Pathan, blending flexibility, experimentation, and match-winning potential as India opens the series in Vadodara.
India ODI Squad vs New Zealand
The full Indian squad for the series includes: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja.
India will aim to start the 2026 ODI season strongly, testing both established players and emerging talent in the three-match series against New Zealand.
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