Former Indian cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra believes the national selection committee has drawn a clear line regarding Rishabh Pant’s immediate future in limited-overs cricket. His observations come following Pant’s exclusion from India’s 15-member ODI squad for the three-match series against the West Indies, starting September 27.
Despite being left out of the 50-over team, Pant has been named captain of the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup. Chopra pointed out that these contrasting decisions showcase a clear distinction in how the team management views Pant across different formats. While he remains a vital fixture in Test cricket, his standing in the white-ball setup appears to have diminished significantly.
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Addressing Pant’s unusual position, Chopra described it as a unique situation in modern Indian cricket. He highlighted that while Pant remains crucial to the Test setup, he was recently relieved of his vice-captaincy duties in the longest format as well. However, his appointment as captain for the Rest of India side underlines the management’s trust in his red-ball leadership and performance capabilities. Conversely, his prolonged absence and ultimate omission from the ODI setup suggest that the selectors are ready to explore other avenues moving forward.
Pant’s journey in 50-over cricket has been sporadic, having featured in just a single ODI over the past four years. Following India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, his white-ball appearances grew increasingly limited, leading up to his latest exclusion as India begins its long-term preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
For the upcoming series against the West Indies, Shubman Gill will lead the side, which also features veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The wicketkeeping options have been reinforced with KL Rahul, who steps in as vice-captain, alongside young keeper-batter Dhruv Jurel.
Chopra also emphasized that the selectors are using this home series to test secondary options and build bench strength ahead of the next World Cup cycle. He pointed to top-order batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad as key contenders fighting for limited slots, noting that both have consistently capitalized on their opportunities. Additionally, Chopra expressed enthusiasm for fast bowler Auqib Nabi, who has been traveling with the squad and could make an impact if given a chance in the playing XI.
