Rishabh Pant’s Vijay Hazare Trophy Failure Casts Doubt on NZ ODI Series Selection

VHT: Pant fails ahead of NZ ODI series selection; Odisha hand Delhi 1st defeat

Rishabh Pant is under the microscope again—and this time, it’s not just fans watching closely. As India gears up for its upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, the star wicketkeeper-batter’s failure with the bat in a crucial Vijay Hazare Trophy clash could have serious implications for his place in the squad.

On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, Pant’s Delhi side suffered their first defeat of the domestic 50-over tournament, losing to Odisha by a convincing 79 runs. More alarmingly, Pant himself managed just a meager 12 runs before being dismissed—another missed opportunity to stake his claim for a national recall .

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Pant’s Struggles in the Vijay Hazare Trophy

Delhi’s campaign in the Vijay Hazare Trophy has been built on the back of one dominant individual batting performance per game—whether from Prithvi Shaw, Yash Dhull, or someone else stepping up in crunch moments. But on this occasion, that lone hero never emerged.

Pant, who has been working his way back into top form following his near-fatal car accident in late 2022, had been showing flickers of his explosive best in earlier matches. However, against Odisha’s disciplined bowling attack—led by Alok Chandra Sahoo, who claimed 3 for 32—Pant looked tentative and out of sync .

This isn’t the first time Pant has underwhelmed in domestic cricket since his return, and selectors are surely taking note. With the BCCI’s selection committee known to heavily weigh current domestic form, this latest outing couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Why Delhi Lost to Odisha

Odisha posted a competitive total of 257 for 9 in their 50 overs, thanks to a solid 82 from Anurag Sarangi and valuable contributions down the order. But the real story was Delhi’s batting collapse.

Chasing 258, Delhi never got going. Their top order crumbled early, and despite a brief 48 from Dhull, the middle order—including Pant—failed to build partnerships. The innings folded for just 178 in 42.4 overs.

Key reasons for the loss:

  • Lack of batting depth: Delhi’s overreliance on one or two players left them vulnerable when those players failed.
  • Poor shot selection: Multiple batters, including Pant, played needlessly aggressive shots early in their innings.
  • Odisha’s disciplined bowling: Their seamers exploited the conditions intelligently, bowling tight lines and building pressure.

NZ ODI Series Selection: Hanging in the Balance?

India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand is expected to be announced in early January 2026. Pant’s place, once considered secure due to his unmatched X-factor, is now far from guaranteed.

While KL Rahul remains the first-choice wicketkeeper in white-ball cricket, Pant had been pushing hard for a middle-order all-rounder role. But if he can’t convert starts or anchor an innings—as seen in the Vijay Hazare Trophy—selectors may look elsewhere.

Potential alternatives include Suryakumar Yadav, who’s returning from injury, or even emerging talents like Tilak Varma or Riyan Parag, who have shown consistency in domestic and IPL circuits .

As ESPNcricinfo notes, “Form in domestic cricket remains a non-negotiable benchmark for national selection” . Pant’s recent performances simply don’t meet that bar.

What Pant Needs to Do Next

Pant still has time to turn things around. The Vijay Hazare Trophy isn’t over, and Delhi has multiple games left in the group stage. Here’s what he must do:

  1. Play with intent, not recklessness: Balance aggression with responsibility—especially in the top six.
  2. Focus on rotating strike: Build partnerships rather than going for big shots from ball one.
  3. Lead from the front: As a senior player, his composure can set the tone for the entire batting unit.

A big century in the next match could silence critics and reignite his selection chances. For insights into player comebacks, check out our feature on [INTERNAL_LINK:comeback-stories-in-cricket].

Broader Implications for Indian Cricket

This isn’t just about Pant—it’s about the state of India’s middle-order stability in ODIs. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on the cusp of retirement, the team needs reliable, match-winning batters who can perform under pressure.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy serves as a crucial proving ground for such talent. When established stars like Pant struggle, it highlights both the depth—and the fragility—of India’s batting bench.

Moreover, Odisha’s victory is a reminder that tier-two teams in Indian domestic cricket are no longer pushovers. Their rise adds healthy competition and forces top teams like Delhi to raise their game consistently.

Summary

Rishabh Pant’s failure in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Odisha isn’t just a blip—it’s a red flag ahead of India’s ODI series against New Zealand. With Delhi suffering their first loss and dropping from the top of the points table, Pant’s form (or lack thereof) is now a major talking point among selectors and fans alike. To reclaim his spot, he must deliver a match-winning performance soon. The domestic circuit doesn’t forgive—and it certainly doesn’t forget. Stay updated with more analysis on [INTERNAL_LINK:indian-cricket-team-news].

Sources

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