On May 19, the Ajit Agarkar-led men’s senior selection committee announced the squad for one-off Test and three ODIs against Afghanistan. In the ODI squad, Rishabh Pant and Ruturaj Gaikwad were notable omission in the batting lineup. Many expected Sanju Samson to be back in the side considering his hat-trick of fifties in T20 World Cup 2026 but he faced the snub yet again. Apart from the new names, Ishan Kishan made a comeback to the ODI setup after an absence of more than two years. Sports Tak has learnt that Kishan’s hitting abilities rated him above Ruturaj and Sanju, leading to his ODI comeback.
“There was discussion on Ruturaj, Ishan and Sanju that whom should be picked for the ODI series against Afghanistan. The panel went with Ishan keeping in mind his ODI career and temperament, especially his hitting ability that may work in South African conditions during the World Cup [2027] if situation arises for him to play,” a selection insider told Sports Tak.
However, the selection committee has not shut the door for Samson and Gaikwad as far as ODI World Cup 2027 is concerned. Considering India have plenty of ODI action coming up, the duo may be called up if the need arises.
ALSO READ: Will Phil Salt rejoin RCB for remainder of IPL 2026? Latest update surfaces ahead of LSG clash
“Sanju and Ruturaj are still in first line to be picked up in next assignments,” the source added.
In the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), Kishan (490 runs) is only slightly ahead of Samson (477 runs) in the orange cap race. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Gaikwad has struggled form form, managing 321 runs with a match to go at league stage.
Century in last ODI innings, no place in squad
However, Gaikwad has a century in his previous ODI outing. Replacing an injured Shreyas Iyer in the side, he had scored 105 runs from 83 deliveries against South Africa in December 2025. His CSK teammate, Samson hasn't played an ODI since December 2023. Coincidentally, he had scored a century against South Africa in his previous outing as well.
When was the last time Ishan Kishan played an ODI?
The last time Kishan scored a century was in December 2022. He scored a double century against Bangladesh. He hasn't scored a half-century in last six ODI innings. He came close the to fifty-run mark against Afghanistan in ODI World Cup 2023 clash in Delhi with a 47-run knock in the successful run chase.
So far, he has played 27 ODIs and scored 933 runs from 24 innings at an average of 42.40 and strike rate of 102.19. He has a century and seven fifties in the format.