The sizzling form of the batters Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 has put the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel under huge pressure as they are gearing up to finalize the squad for the ODI series against New Zealand.
India’s No. 4 Conundrum: Padikkal, Sarfaraz, or Gaikwad for New Zealand ODIs?
India is all set to host New Zealand in a three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting on January 11, 2026. The selection committee will reportedly meet on January 2 or 3 to finalise the squad for the upcoming New Zealand series.
Read Also: Mohammed Shami-Ajit Agarkar cold war ends as BCCI signals pacer’s India comeback vs New Zealand
Your daily dose of cricket!
Presently, the Indian selection committee faces a pleasant but dramatic dilemma. An injury cloud over Shreyas Iyer has thrown the crucial No. 4 spot wide open, and a trio of in-form Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad have launched compelling cases through the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26.
The Case for Devdutt Padikkal: Unstoppable Consistency
Padikkal isn’t just scoring runs, but he is redefining form. With three centuries in his last four Vijay Hazare matches, the left-hander is in a purple patch that is hard to ignore by the selectors.
He had smashed 147 against Jharkhand on December 24 and followed it up with 124 against Kerala just two days later at the same ground. And now on December 31, the Karnataka star made 113 off 116 balls against Puducherry.
His last 12 List A innings read like a dream: 6 centuries and 4 fifties at an astronomical average of 81.51. This weight of runs, relentless consistency, and a left-handed option in the middle order can certainly force the selectors to offer Padikkal an opportunity to make his debut in ODI cricket.
Sarfaraz Khan’s explosive form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz has also made sure his name stays firmly in the conversation. The Mumbai batter produced a breathtaking innings against Goa in Jaipur, scoring 157 off just 75 balls. Earlier in the tournament, he had scored a quick 55 off 49 balls against Uttarakhand on December 26.
Read Also: BCCI BLOCKS Shreyas Iyer’s return, denies clearance at the last moment
Sarfaraz is still waiting for his first ODI cap, but his Vijay Hazare Trophy performance can make the selectors think of him. However, the right-handed batter has just 692 runs in 40 List-A matches to his name, but his international cricket experience in Test cricket can help him earn his maiden ODI call-up.
Gaikwad Emerges as Safe Middle-Order Option for India
On the other hand, Ruturaj Gaikwad brings both form and international experience into the selection debate. He has already played nine ODIs and was recently part of India’s home series against South Africa, where he scored his first ODI century.
In the South Africa series, Gaikwad batted at number four in the absence of Shreyas Iyer, who was recovering from an abdominal injury suffered during the Australia tour in October. Then, Gaikwad once again showed his reliability in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with his stunning performances.
He scored 124 off 113 balls against Uttarakhand in Jaipur to prove his ability to anchor the innings and handle pressure in the middle order. His form and experience can help him retain his ODI spot if Iyer is given more time to recover from the injury for the New Zealand series.
