Gill all set to return as ODI skipper; Kishan could replace Pant

Shubman Gill is set to return as India’s ODI captain, while his deputy Shreyas Iyer is likely to remain on sidelines when the national senior selection committee finalises the squad for the three-match series against New Zealand.

The selection panel is scheduled to meet online on Saturday. The Hindu understands that Gill, who missed the recent ODI series against South Africa after suffering a neck spasm during the opening Test, will also attend the first official selection committee meeting of the calendar year.

Gill’s return is expected to result in Dhruv Jurel — who was drafted in as a reserve batter for the South Africa series — making way for the opener. Shreyas, out of action since hurting his abdominal muscles in the third ODI in Australia in October, had been targetting a comeback, but delay in his rehabilitation means that the middle-order batter is yet to receive medical clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

The only other possible change could be the return of Ishan Kishan in place of Rishabh Pant as the reserve wicketkeeper-batter. Kishan has already been recalled to India’s squad for the five-match T20I series against the Kiwis later this month, as well as the T20 World Cup starting on February 7.

It is understood that the selection panel feels that, apart from having proven his credentials in the 50-over format during the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, Kishan should also be given sufficient time to re-settle into the Indian dressing room following a two-year absence.

At the same time, there is a school of thought that a senior player like Pant should not be dropped without being given an opportunity. However, a section of the team management and selectors have been concerned about the southpaw’s inability to consistently rein in his instincts in the shorter formats. It would not be a surprise if Pant makes way for Kishan — his teammate from the under-19 World Cup campaign in 2016.

The bowling department is unlikely to see any changes, with the spin and pace units having delivered consistently across the six ODIs played so far this season.