Rishabh Pant’s performance in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy has been inconsistent, with only one half-century in four games. However, if the Ajit Agarkar-led committee decides to bench him for the upcoming New Zealand series without giving him a single ODI match in the previous 18 months, it may be viewed as a bit harsh.
There have been rumors regarding Pant’s ability to maintain his spot in the Indian selectors’ squad for the three-match ODI series against the Black Caps, which will begin on January 11 in Vadodara.
It’s no secret that at least one member of the Indian team’s management dislikes Pant’s high-risk, high-reward batting strategy and would rather want him to use a more conventional approach.
However, dropping a backup glovesman without giving him a chance might undoubtedly result in more inquiries without concrete responses.
Despite being a member of the Champions Trophy team and participating in the series against South Africa last month, Pant did not play a single ODI in 2025. Pant was left cooling his heels for all three games as Ruturaj Gaikwad, a skilled opener, was attempted at No. 4.
Since making his debut in 2018, Pant has only participated in 31 ODIs. He had consistent opportunities in two distinct phases, whether it was due to bad luck or his batting philosophy.
Prior to COVID-19, Pant played 11 games from June 30, 2019, to January 14, 2020. His peak performance occurred during the post-COVID-19 period, when he participated in 15 ODIs from March 26, 2021, to November 30, 2022, prior to a terrible car accident. He scored a lot during this time, including two scores of 75 or higher and one 85 in 15 innings.
However, Pant has only played in one ODI in Colombo since his return in 2024 following the accident; ironically, this was head coach Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment. It didn’t help that Ishan Kishan, the season’s top player, smashed 14 sixes while batting in the middle order in Jharkhand’s opening match against Karnataka, while Pant has only managed one noteworthy score—70—in four Vijay Hazare Trophy games.
Even Dhruv Jurel, who was in the ODI lineup for the previous series, scored a “Daddy Hundred” for Uttar Pradesh. Although it can’t be used as a justification for getting out in the 20s, the tracks Delhi played at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru can’t really be described as batting paradise. Pant is still a few steps ahead of Jurel, though, if one stops to consider the implications.
With KL Rahul firmly established as the top batter-keeper, having three wicketkeepers in a squad of 15 seems like a luxury. It will be fascinating to see if Kishan is selected at the expense of Pant or Jurel, both of whom have not yet played.
Devdutt Padikkal, who has already scored three hundreds in four games in the ongoing National Championship and has an incredible average of 92-plus throughout 37 games, is another notable name that might be discussed.
It will be extremely challenging for the selectors to fit someone like Padikkal at the top of the order, though, with captain Shubman Gill returning, veteran Rohit Sharma at the other end, and last ODI’s centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting for a longer rope.
It is important to remember that Gaikwad, a specialist opener, is currently playing at No. 4, which was previously occupied by regular vice-captain Shreyas Iyer prior to his injury.
Padikkal hasn’t done much wrong, but following Gaikwad’s century, there isn’t a spot in the top four at the moment, and it will be challenging to fit him in until the team adds another specialist top-batter.
While all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah will be rested from the ODIs in anticipation of the T20 World Cup, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, who are also a part of the shortest format, may be given another chance.
There is growing buzz around Mohammed Shami’s possible comeback after the Champions Trophy, but whether the selection committee is willing to turn the clock back remains the bigger question. The spin department, featuring Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav, appears largely settled.
