Aakash Chopra has criticised the team management over how Rishabh Pant has been treated in ODI cricket. Chopra questioned why Pant has not been given a fair chance. Pant has not played an ODI since the Sri Lanka series in 2024.
Chopra shared his views on his YouTube channel. He said it looks like the management has already made up its mind about Pant’s white-ball future. He called it unfair. He pointed out that Pant has played only one ODI in three years. He was part of the 2025 Champions Trophy squad but did not play a single match. The team won the trophy while he sat on the bench. Chopra said there was a chance for Pant to play against South Africa, but Ruturaj Gaikwad was picked in the middle order instead.
Pant has now been dropped from the ODI squad completely. He has also lost the Test vice-captaincy. Chopra said this shows Pant has been demoted. He feels it is unfair because Pant has not been given enough opportunities in ODIs. One match in three years is not enough to judge a player. Chopra asked why the team kept Pant in their plans if they felt he was not good enough.
The selectors recalled Dhruv Jurel but left Pant out. Jurel replaced Ishan Kishan, who is at the Asian Games in Japan. Kishan is now a regular in the white-ball teams. He will return to the ODI side for the New Zealand tour.
Pant is now only part of the Test team. He was in the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad. But he has not played a T20I for more than two years. He was rested for the home T20Is against England in 2025. He has not been able to make a comeback since then.
Pant made his ODI debut against the West Indies in 2018. He missed selection for the 2019 ODI World Cup squad. He was later called up as an injury replacement. He has scored 871 runs in 31 ODIs. His record includes one century and five fifties.
Why Rishabh Pant Deserves Another Chance in India’s ODI Team Ahead of 2027 World Cup
Rishabh Pant has not played an ODI for India since August 7, 2024. That was against Sri Lanka. He then got injured and missed the ODI series in New Zealand in January 2026. Dhruv Jurel replaced him. Now India are building for the 2027 ODI World Cup. So the question of Pant’s place in the 50-over team has come back.
Pant has played 31 ODIs. He has scored 871 runs at an average of 33.50. He has one century and five fifties. His highest score is 125 not out. That shows he can play big innings. He is 28 years old. He still has time to settle into the ODI setup if he gets a fair run.
India’s ODI middle order is mostly right-handed. If Yashasvi Jaiswal does not play, the top five can end up all right-handed. That makes it easier for bowlers to plan against India. Pant is a left-hander. Adding him would give the batting lineup natural balance. India could reduce their reliance on all-rounders for that. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are left-handed, but they are picked mainly for their bowling. They are not specialist batters.
Pant can keep wickets. That gives the team another option behind the stumps. In 31 ODIs, he has taken 27 catches and one stumping. That shows he is dependable. Having a second wicketkeeper in the squad helps with workload and injuries. KL Rahul currently keeps for India in ODIs. If Pant is in the team, Rahul could play as a pure batter. That would take the keeping burden off him. Pant can also bat in different roles. He can anchor an innings or finish games.
Pant can hit big shots. In his 31 ODIs, he has hit 91 fours and 26 sixes. That makes him a real finisher. He can also rebuild an innings after a collapse. That is useful in 50-over cricket. He averages 33.50 and has a strike rate of 106.21. That shows he can score quickly and contribute in different situations. His century in England in 2022 showed he can hold an innings together when the team is in trouble. His power game can also speed up the scoring in the middle overs when needed.
FAQs
Q. When did Rishabh Pant last play an ODI for India?
A. Pant last played against Sri Lanka in August 2024.
Q. How many ODIs has Pant played for India?
A. Pant has played 31 ODIs.
Q. How many ODI runs has Rishabh Pant scored?
A. Pant has scored 871 ODI runs.
Q. How many ODI centuries does Pant have?
A. Pant has scored one ODI century.
Q. Who replaced Pant in India’s ODI squad?
A. Dhruv Jurel replaced Pant in the squad.
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