Rishabh Pant’s white ball future with team India uncertain

Team India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is reportedly not in the scheme of things for the national team in One Day Internationals (ODIs). The team management and head coach Gautam Gambhir are unlikely to consider the left-handed batter even for the backup wicketkeeper role in the 50-over format.

Pant had suffered an injury during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 in England. The southpaw was ruled out of the fifth Test and the two-match home Test series against the West Indies. He led the India ‘A’ team in the first unofficial Test against South Africa ‘A’, where the side secured a three-wicket victory.

Rishabh Pant Not in the Scheme of Things for India in ODIs

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rohit Juglan stated that KL Rahul is the first-choice wicketkeeping option for the national side in ODIs, with Dhruv Jurel likely to be backup. Juglan further added that Rishabh Pant is not part of the team management’s current plans in the 50-over format.

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“If you look at the ODI setup right now, KL Rahul is already the primary wicketkeeping option. So, I feel if you continue with KL Rahul there, you can also start grooming a backup and at the moment, that name is Dhruv Jurel. He will likely be the next in line. As for Rishabh Pant, I think his place in the ODI setup looks a bit difficult right now," Juglan said.

India’s Backing of KL Rahul as Wicketkeeper-Batter Makes Change Unlikely

Juglan stated that India have invested heavily in KL Rahul, which makes it difficult for the selectors to consider a change behind the stumps. He added that Rahul has been India’s preferred wicketkeeper, and only a major dip in form could prompt the management to rethink their decision.

"The reason is simple. India have heavily invested in KL Rahul over the last two and a half years. He kept wickets during the 2023 World Cup, before that in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, and even on the tour of Australia. So, it’s unlikely that they’ll suddenly replace him unless Rahul’s form dips drastically," Juglan continued.

Rishabh Pant Likely to Return to T20Is as Backup Wicketkeeper to Sanju Samson

Rohit Juglan also noted that Rishabh Pant might only return as a backup option in T20s. He added that Pant was India’s wicketkeeper before the last T20 World Cup, but he is not part of the national side’s white-ball formats at present.

“Also, KL’s work with the DRS is much better, which further strengthens his case. So, I don’t see a sudden change happening anytime soon. If Rishabh is fit, he might only return as a backup wicketkeeper in T20s. Sanju Samson is already in contention there. Rishabh kept wickets before the last T20 World Cup, but he’s no longer a regular part of India’s T20 plans.”

Pant was a member of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2024. The left-handed batter has scored 1,209 runs in 76 T20I matches at an average of 23.25 and a strike rate of 127.26, including three half-centuries, with a best score of 65.

Pant has scored 871 runs in 31 ODI matches at an average of 33.5 and a strike rate of 106.21. He was also included in India’s Champions Trophy-winning squad. However, he didn’t feature in any matches, as KL Rahul took over wicketkeeping duties throughout the tournament.

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