Rishabh Pant merits ODI recall vs New Zealand before selectors turn to in-form Ishan Kishan

So, let’s frame it properly: for India’s ODI squad, this debate is about who best covers the middle-order wicketkeeper role while offering either left-right balance or matchup flexibility, who is actually showing form right now.

Dhruv Jurel’s VHT form is outrageous. Uttar Pradesh’s first three matches have basically been a Jurel masterclass. He has scored 307 runs in three innings and is one of the early standouts in the tournament.

What that tells selectors: he is seeing the ball big, he can bat time, and he can accelerate. But the ODI question is slightly different. Jurel is still light on List A volume and hasn’t built a role identity yet.