Former India cricketer
Pant, who has been named captain of the Rest of India side for the Irani Cup, finds himself in a contrasting position between the two formats. While his leadership role in the domestic red-ball competition underscores his importance to India’s long-form plans, his absence from the 50-over squad signals a potential shift in the selectors' long-term strategy as the team begins its preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Contrasting roles in red and white-ball formats
Reflecting on the situation, Chopra described Pant as a unique case within the current Indian setup. Speaking on Jio Star, the former cricketer noted that while Pant remains a vital component of the Test team, his trajectory in ODIs has stalled significantly. He pointed out that the decision to omit him from the ODI squad, combined with his appointment as captain for the Rest of India, highlights a clear divide in how the management perceives his role across different formats.
“Rishabh Pant is a very strange and very unique case. While he is playing Test cricket and is a very important member of the red-ball side, in
Shifting priorities and squad competition
Pant’s limited involvement in 50-over cricket is well-documented, with the player having featured in only one ODI over the past four years. His recent omission follows his departure from the T20I side after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. As the team prepares for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies—starting September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram—the squad features Shubman Gill as captain, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain and Dhruv Jurel included as a wicketkeeping option.
Chopra also highlighted the intense competition for spots in India’s wider ODI group. He noted that the team is currently evaluating potential reserves for the 2027 World Cup, with players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad vying for opportunities. Additionally, Chopra expressed interest in seeing fast bowler Auqib Nabi potentially break into the playing XI, noting that the bowler has been traveling with the squad for some time. The series against the West Indies will conclude with five T20Is following the three ODIs, providing further opportunities for the squad to solidify its composition.
