Abhishek Sharma is missing from India’s ODI squad because the opening places are already filled, and his 50-over record has not yet matched his T20 fireworks. He was selected only for the T20I group heading to New Zealand, while the ODI party announced on 17 October already carries four openers. A List A average of 33.78 together with a 100.18 strike rate make the omission easy to defend in a squad full of proven names, even if his T20I returns look spectacular.
A T20I Record That Demands Attention
Wellington witnessed his latest statement on 27 October, when he smashed 113 from only 38 deliveries. That innings took his T20I haul to 2,240 runs across 70 games, averaging 33.43 while striking at 196.83 per hundred balls, and he has four centuries in the format. In pure ball-striking terms, few batters anywhere can match him.
The power is not confined to internationals. In February 2021, he struck the fastest List A hundred ever recorded by an Indian, bringing up three figures in 42 balls. That was a 50-over game, yet one explosive day is a different thing from a sustained record.
India’s Opening Slots Are Already Crowded
Shubman Gill captains India in the opening three ODIs, and Shreyas Iyer takes the reins for the last two matches, once Gill and KL Rahul depart. Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad are also named in the squads, along with Rohit Sharma, so there is no shortage of players who can open.
The tour opens in Auckland on 4 November. After that come matches in Wellington on the 7th, Hamilton on the 10th, and Mount Maunganui, which hosts the last two games on the 13th and 15th. Every top-order berth is therefore spoken for before the first ball, and a debutant would need a specific gap to appear.
Player | Role | ODI Caps | Average | Strike Rate |
Abhishek Sharma | T20I opener | 0 | 33.43 T20I; 33.78 List A | 196.83; 100.18 |
Rohit Sharma | Opener | 288 | 48.95 ODI | 96.39 as opener |
Shubman Gill | Opener, captain | 69 | 65.12 ODI | 103.45 |
Ruturaj Gaikwad | Top order | 11 | Nearly 60 List A | 103.85 |
Ishan Kishan | Wicketkeeper-opener | 32 | 42.57 ODI | 107.69 |
NZ vs IND ODI series 2026: Abhishek Sharma and the Vacancy Problem
The argument against selecting him is about space, not talent. Gill’s ODI average of 65.12 is the highest among anyone with at least 50 ODIs, and in 2026 he has scored 893 runs at an average of 127.71. Rohit brings 288 caps and 138 at Lord’s during July. That depth is rare.
Gaikwad’s first ODI century came against South Africa, and Kishan’s 32 caps and 107.69 strike rate cover the wicketkeeper-opener role. When four specialists already fill the squad, he would become a fifth choice, and no selector or captain has addressed his ODI prospects publicly. Without a vacancy or a strong signal from the panel, patience is the likely outcome.
The 50-Over Evidence Falls Short
His List A ledger totals 2,196 runs from 69 games, averaging 33.78 and containing four centuries, the highest being 170. His scoring rate of 100.18 is just below Gill’s ODI figure of 103.45, so he scores no faster in the 50-over game than the established openers, and that sits far beneath his T20I tempo.
Gaikwad’s 57.69 over 97 matches leaves Abhishek’s average well behind. Rohit has made 9,865 runs in ODIs while opening, scoring at 96.39 per hundred balls, which tells you the role does not demand T20 tempo. Fifty-over batting rewards building an innings and then accelerating, and so far building first has not suited Abhishek. That gap is the real obstacle, and the numbers show it.
A Realistic Route to ODI Debut
Nothing in the current picture hints at an imminent call-up. The credible path is a lengthy 50-over domestic campaign in which he scores heavily at a strike rate close to 100, or a run of injuries among the squad’s openers, which would force selectors to look further down the list.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup ahead, selectors have good reason to test more options, so the NZ vs IND ODI series 2026 Abhishek Sharma conversation will not disappear. Still, he must first show that his T20 method can adapt to the longer format.
Should India try Abhishek at the top of the order in a 50-over game, or wait for more domestic runs? Share your view in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Has Abhishek Sharma made his ODI debut for India?
No, Abhishek has not played an ODI and has zero caps. His only India appearances so far have come in T20Is, where he has 2,240 runs from 70 matches.
Did India pick Abhishek Sharma for the New Zealand ODIs?
No, he was named only in the T20I squad. The ODI group announced on 17 October already includes Kishan, Gaikwad, Gill and Rohit Sharma as opening options.
Who could open for India in the New Zealand ODIs?
India have not announced a fixed opening pair. The candidates are Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, and Gill captains the first three games.
When is the first ODI between India and New Zealand?
The first ODI is on Wednesday 4 November in Auckland. It starts at 7:30am IST, equal to 8:00am in Bangladesh, and the series then moves to Wellington on 7 November.
How good is Abhishek Sharma in List A cricket?
He has scored 2,196 runs in List A cricket from 69 games, averaging 33.78. His strike rate is 100.18, and he has four hundreds, with a best of 170.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.