Rishabh Pant would be reportedly dropped from India’s ODI squad amid his poor form with the bat in the ongoing IPL season. Pant, who is no longer considered in the T20I format could be replaced by Sanju Samson as the second-choice wicketkeeper in the ODIs, with KL Rahul being the first-choice behind the stumps.
Pant was the second-choice wicketkeeper during India’s last ODI series against New Zealand at home in January. But mid-way through the series he was replaced by Dhruv Jurel because of an injury.
According to a report by Dainik Jagran, Samson would replace Pant as the second wicketkeeper in the ODI squad, with Jurel also remaining in the mix.
The report added that Samson’s stock as a wicketkeeper-batter rose after his brilliant performances in the recently concluded T20 World Cup and the ongoing IPL season.
Having moved to Chennai Super Kings on a transfer deal from Rajasthan Royals, Samson has already smashed two centuries, scoring 304 runs in eight matches.
Despite not getting many chances in ODIs, Samson has scored 510 runs in 14 innings at an impressive average of 56.67, including a century and three fifties.
With India set to play 20 ODIs before the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir are clearly focused on preparing for the big tournament.
India’s next ODI assignment is a series against Afghanistan starting June 14.
Meanwhile, even though Rishabh Pant has struggled in white-ball cricket, his place in the Test team is not under threat. In IPL 2026, Pant has managed 189 runs in eight matches for Lucknow Super Giants at an average of 27, with one half-century.
