The Indian team management overlooked Rishabh Pant again for the white-ball format. When the India selectors sat down to select the players for the ODI series against West Indies, Rishabh Pant was expected to make a comeback in the format
Chances to return to ODI cricket were there, as at the same time, another set of the India men's cricket team will be in Japan for the 2026 Asian Games. Because of the clash of schedules, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee was forced to name two different sets of squads for two different events.
As Ishan Kishan is set to travel to Japan for the Asian Games, it was expected to see a returning Pant in the ODI squad, at least as a backup. In the white-ball formats, the Indian cricket team has three keeper-batters: Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, and KL Rahul.
The entry of Dhruv Jurel closed all the doors for Rishabh Pant for his ODI comeback. For the three-match ODI series against West Indies, the team management selected two keeper-batters in the likes of Rahul and Jurel. Rahul is likely to start the series as the first-choice keeper-batter, and Jurel could be his back-up.
The selectors did not even consider Pant as the second-choice keeper for the One Day Internationals; that's a massive statement issued by the selection committee.
The last time Pant featured in an ODI game for India was in August 2024; that also remained the last 50-over match during the regime of head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Why is Rishabh Pant not selected for the ODI series against West Indies?
But why did the selectors prefer to offer the southpaw a slot in the ODI team? News agency PTI has shared some quotes in one of its latest articles. A source close to the selection process claimed that Pant, who has massive potential and talent, did not justify himself in the white-ball formats.
"Hasn't done justice to his phenomenal talent when it comes to white-ball cricket," the source told the news agency. It also added that the non-selection of Pant was based on feedback from some of the important members of the team. "Feedback from the important members of the team management," the source mentioned.
Rishabh Pant has been named as Rest of India captain for Irani Cup
When the India national cricket team is busy with the Asian Games and the West Indies series, Rishabh Pant will be with the Rest of India cricket team for the Irani Cup match against the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 champions Jammu and Kashmir.
The Irani Cup match will be a red-ball contest. The board has named Pant as the captain of the Rest of India. According to the current scenario, a spot in the ODI squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup is not looking possible for the keeper-batter. But he is only 28, and he will be a hope for the 2031 ODI World Cup.
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