Will Rishabh Pant get a fair chance in India’s ODI squad?

As India prepares for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11 in Vadodara, all eyes are on Rishabh Pant. The star wicketkeeper-batter, known for his aggressive, high-risk style, has been inconsistent in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring just one half-century in four games. With the Indian selectors set to announce the squad soon, questions loom large: will Pant get a chance, or will he be dropped without playing a single ODI in the last 18 months?

Pant’s absence from international ODIs has been striking. Despite being part of the Champions Trophy squad last year and featuring in the series against South Africa, he didn’t play a single match. Ruturaj Gaikwad was tried at No. 4, leaving Pant on the sidelines. Since making his ODI debut in 2018, Pant has played only 31 matches, with his opportunities coming in two distinct phases. Between June 2019 and January 2020, he featured in 11 games before COVID-19 disrupted international cricket.

His most productive stretch came after the pandemic, from March 2021 to November 2022, where he played 15 ODIs, scored a century, and recorded multiple 75-plus scores. But a serious car accident slowed his momentum, and since his return in 2024, he has played just one ODI in Colombo under head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Currently, Pant’s form in domestic cricket offers a mixed picture. While he has managed a 70-run innings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ishan Kishan has been in explosive touch, hitting 14 sixes in a single match. Dhruv Jurel has also impressed with a big century for Uttar Pradesh. Yet, when comparing impact and experience, Pant arguably remains a notch above both players.

The selection dilemma is compounded by team balance. With KL Rahul firmly established as the first-choice batter-keeper, having three wicketkeepers in a 15-member squad seems excessive. If selectors pick Kishan, it could come at the cost of either Pant or Jurel, both of whom are waiting for game time. Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal has been in sensational form, averaging over 92 across 37 matches with three centuries in four games this season. However, with Shubman Gill returning as captain, veteran Rohit Sharma at the other end, and Yashasvi Jaiswal in form, the top-order spots are limited. Gaikwad’s century at No. 4 normally Shreyas Iyer’s slot further reduces flexibility for new entrants.

Bowling combinations appear clearer. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are likely to be rested after the T20 World Cup, but Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh could get opportunities. Mohammed Shami’s possible return after the Champions Trophy remains under discussion, while the spin department of Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav seems settled.

Ultimately, the upcoming squad announcement will test the selectors’ balancing act between rewarding form, managing experience, and accommodating team strategy. For Pant, the waiting game continues, with the cricketing world keenly watching if he gets the fair chance his talent arguably deserves.