Kumar Kushagra earns maiden India ODI call-up for New Zealand series

Kumar Kushagra has been named in India's ODI squad for the final two matches of the five-match series against New Zealand. The 21-year-old Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter will serve as backup to Ishan Kishan for the fourth and fifth ODIs scheduled on November 13 and 15.

Kushagra replaced Rishabh Pant in the India A squad for the unofficial Test series against New Zealand A after Pant sustained a left-side strain. He scored centuries in the Duleep Trophy final and in an unofficial Test against Australia A earlier this month. The Jharkhand batter has played 40 List A matches and scored 1,387 runs with two centuries and ten half-centuries.

His selection came ahead of Sanju Samson and Prabhsimran Singh for the ODI format. Kushagra made his IPL debut for Gujarat Titans in April 2026 after being signed for Rs 65 lakh.