Rishabh Pant’s journey in limited-overs cricket has taken an unexpected turn, with recent developments highlighting a growing uncertainty around his place in India’s ODI and T20I setups. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, celebrated for his fearless approach, now finds himself on the periphery of white-ball selections.
Pant was part of India’s victorious squads in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, yet he saw limited action in the latter, serving primarily as backup to KL Rahul. Since then, he has not featured in a single ODI match, including the recent home ODI series against South Africa where he was in the squad but remained on the bench. He is likely to be omitted from the upcoming ODI series in New Zealand, sparking widespread discussion among fans about whether this exclusion is impacting his mindset. The southpaw last played an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2024. He had also played a couple of T20Is in the same tour but since then he has been warming the bench in 50-over format for India, and is now set to be dropped without even given a shot in the XI.
Known for exceptional mental resilience, having battled back from life-altering injuries, Pant would understandably feel disappointed at being sidelined without opportunities to prove himself. As India’s Test vice-captain, he had proactively informed the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) of his availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, aiming to bolster his case for ODI inclusion through domestic performances. A half-century in one of the games offered promise, but the news of him getting dropped from ODIs could have shaken his confidence. He is expected to play the entire Vijay Hazare Trophy if he misses out of India selection.
The numbers paint a challenging picture in white-ball formats. In 31 ODIs since his debut, Pant averages around 33.50. His T20I record, 76 matches with an average of 23.25 and a strike rate of 127.26, places him at the lower end among established Indian top-seven batters with significant appearances. In the IPL, despite the hype and a record Rs 27 crore retention ahead of the 2025 season, he managed only 269 runs at a sub-140 strike rate. He has crossed 400 runs in a season just four times across nine editions. But in ODIs, he hasn’t done anything wrong to be dropped. He hasn’t played enough games to come to a conclusion as he has been warming the bench.
Interestingly, Pant appears most comfortable in Test cricket, where his aggressive style translates into security and impact. In contrast, the high-pressure demand for quick runs in shorter formats seems to have introduced an element of hesitation.
The selector’s dilemma centers on the middle-order wicketkeeper role: who provides the best balance of left-right combination, matchup flexibility, and current form? Pant’s limited game time has allowed others to surge ahead.
Ishan Kishan has been particularly explosive in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, smashing 125 off just 39 balls against Karnataka while batting at No. 6, a position that aligns perfectly with India’s need for a finisher who can shift gears rapidly. Kishan’s established ODI credentials (933 runs in 27 matches at 42.40, including a double century) and left-handed option make him a strong contender. Even though he was primarily used as an opener by Team India.
Dhruv Jurel, another emerging talent, has dominated early in the tournament with over 300 runs in three innings for Uttar Pradesh, demonstrating the ability to build innings and accelerate when needed.
With KL Rahul entrenched as the first-choice keeper-batter, the backup spot has become fiercely contested.
For Pant, the road ahead is demanding but not unfamiliar. A player who has defied odds before, he retains immense faith in his ability to stage a comeback. Strong performances in the remainder of the Vijay Hazare Trophy could yet reopen doors, but the reality is clear: in modern white-ball cricket, form and immediate utility are non-negotiable. Pant’s audacity remains his greatest asset, now he must channel it to reclaim his spot.
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