Indian cricket team’s star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has not got a place in the team for the upcoming ODI series against West Indies. In the absence of Ishan Kishan, Pant was considered to have a chance to return to the ODI team, but the selectors chose Dhruv Jurel as the second wicketkeeper along with KL Rahul. After Pant’s exclusion, the discussion has once again intensified regarding his candidature for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Pant, who was once seen as India’s leading wicketkeeper in all three formats after Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has weakened in the limited overs team in recent times. He is currently a part of the Test team, but he did not even have the responsibility of vice-captain in the Test.
Will Pant be out of WC 2027 also?
Rishabh Pant was a part of the Indian team in the 2019 ODI World Cup. However, he could not play in the 2023 World Cup due to serious injuries in a car accident. Now after being out of the West Indies ODI series, questions are being raised about their possible participation in the 2027 World Cup. If Pant does not become a part of the 2027 World Cup squad, then this will be the second consecutive ODI World Cup in which he will not be with the Indian team. Even in T20 cricket, he has faced challenges from Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson and he could not play in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Will Pant be able to prove himself?
After being out of the ODI team, Rishabh Pant will have a chance to strengthen his claim in the Irani Cup. He will captain Rest of India against Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir. This match can be an important opportunity for Pant to attract the attention of the selectors by scoring runs while batting. However, despite Ishan Kishan not getting a place in the ODI team despite his absence, his comeback in limited overs is not looking easy.
How were the last 2 IPL seasons?
The last two IPL seasons were very bad for Rishabh Pant in terms of statistics. In the 2025 season, he scored 269 runs in 14 innings. However, his unbeaten inning of 118 runs in the last match of the league stage was brilliant. In 2026, Pant scored 312 runs in 14 matches and his high score was 68 not out against Sunrisers Hyderabad. That means in these two seasons he scored a total of 581 runs in 28 matches.
How many ODI matches have you played so far?
28-year-old Rishabh Pant made his debut in ODI cricket in 2018, but even after almost eight years, he has only 31 matches to his name in this format. In these matches he has scored 871 runs at an average of 33.50. Pant last played an ODI in 2024. After this he was no longer a part of India’s playing eleven in this format. He was included in the Indian team for the 2025 Champions Trophy, but did not get an opportunity to play. Now after being dropped from the West Indies series, the wait for Pant’s return in ODI has become longer.