Batsmen Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s stellar performances in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 have seen Ajit Agarkar The leadership selection panel is under intense pressure as they prepare to finalize their squad for the ODI series against New Zealand.

India does not. 4 Dilemma: Padikkal, Sarfaz or Gaikwad of New Zealand ODIS?

India is ready to take on New Zealand in the three-match ODI series starting from January 11, 2026. According to reports, the selection committee will meet on January 2 or 3 to finalize the squad for the upcoming series in New Zealand.

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Currently, the Indian selection committee faces a pleasant but dramatic dilemma. Shreyas Iyer is looming under the shadow of injury, leaving the crucial fourth spot vacant, while the in-form trio of Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan and Ruturaj Gaikwad put together a convincing campaign for the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The case of Devdutt Padikkal: Unstoppable consistency

Padikkal is not only scoring runs but is redefining form. Vijay Hazare has hit three centuries in his last four games and the left-hander is in the purple zone and it will be difficult for the selectors to ignore it.

He scored 147 against Jharkhand on December 24 and 124 against Kerala at the same venue two days later. On December 31, the Karnataka star scored 113 off 116 balls against Puducherry.

His last 12 Group A innings looked like a dream: six centuries and four fifties at an average of 81.51. The weight of this run, relentless consistency and a left-handed option in the middle order will surely force the selectors to give Padikkal a chance to make his debut in ODI cricket.

Sarfaraz Khan’s explosive performance in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz also ensures that his name remains firmly in the conversation. The Mumbai batsman had a stunning innings against Goa in Jaipur, scoring 157 runs in just 75 balls. Earlier in the tournament, he scored a quick 55 off 49 balls against Uttarakhand on December 26.

Also read: BCCI blocks Shreyas Iyer’s return, denies clearance at last minute

Sarfaraz is still waiting for his first ODI appearance but his performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy could remind the selectors of him. However, the right-handed batsman has only scored 692 runs in 40 A-grade games but his international cricket experience in Test cricket could help him earn his maiden ODI call-up.

Gaikwad emerges as India’s safe mid-order option

Ruturaj Gaikwad, on the other hand, brings format and international experience to the selection debate. He has played nine ODI matches and recently scored his maiden ODI century in India’s home series against South Africa.

Gaikwad finished fourth in the South Africa series in the absence of Shreyas Iyer, who is recovering from an abdominal injury sustained during the October tour of Australia. Later, Gaikwad once again showed his reliability with a stunning performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

His 124 off 113 balls against Uttarakhand in Jaipur proved his ability to control the innings and deal with pressure in the midfield. If Iyer gets more time to recover from injury during the New Zealand series, his form and experience could help him retain his ODI berth.