Former Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his opinion on India’s announced squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The 15-member squad announced on Saturday read Shubman Gill as the captain of the side, while Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul formed the core batting unit.

While reflecting on the squad, the off-spinner specifically stated that ace batter Ruturaj Gaikwad could have been picked over the wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. He feels that Pant is more suited to bat in the top order in white-ball cricket, whereas the Gaikwad is capable of playing spin well and rotating strike in the middle overs, which he put up on display with his maiden century during the recent South Africa series.

“Could Gaikwad have been kept in the squad? I think that was a real possibility. The only spot of contention is between Pant and Gaikwad. It was a straight decision. At four or five, I am sticking my neck out, his batting against spin and ability to run between wickets and close out an innings is phenomenal. I personally don’t think Pant can bat in the middle-order in white-ball cricket at the moment.

I think he is a top-three batter”, said Ashwin in a video on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat.

The real toss-up in the selection was between Pant and Gaikwad after Shreyas Iyer’s comeback into the team after his recovery. In the end, the selectors decided to go with an extra wicketkeeping option and a left-handed batter in Pant, whereas the Maharashtra cricketer found himself dropped despite proving his mettle against South Africa. 

Gaikwad, who also captains CSK in the IPL, has one of the finest records in List-A cricket right now.

In 97 List-A matches, he has scored 4904 runs at an impressive average of 57.69 and a strike rate of 102.06. On the other hand, Pant is yet to make a significant impact in white-ball cricket, contrary to his exploits in the longest format of the game.

Including Iyer was a straight decision, Ashwin believes

The former India cricketer also recognized the vice-captain Iyer’s comeback. Ashwin believes that the decision to slot in Iyer after his recuperation from the spleen injury in late 2025 during the series against Australia Down Under was a rather straightforward decision. 

“It was a straight decision. Shreyas Iyer deserved to come back after the injury, so no discussion there. It is his rightful position”, he said.

With the competition being tight and spots being limited, it will be interesting to see if Gaikwad can turn the heads of the selectors his way going forward. Nonetheless, the Men in Blue will be starting the series against the BlackCaps on January 11 with the first match to be played in Vadodara.