Rishabh Pant continues to shine in Tests, but will he secure a spot in India's 2027 ODI World Cup roster?

The past year has been particularly challenging for Rishabh Pant, marking a significant downturn in his cricketing career. Following a disappointing performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he managed only 312 runs across 14 matches with an average of 28.36, Pant faced a series of setbacks. He lost the captaincy of the Lucknow Super Giants and returned to the Delhi Capitals, but his struggles did not end there. His exclusion from India's One Day International (ODI) plans was compounded by the fact that he was overlooked for the reserve wicketkeeper position, which went to Ishan Kishan. Additionally, he lost the vice-captaincy in Test cricket to KL Rahul.

Despite these challenges in limited-overs formats, Pant's performance in Test cricket remains impressive. The 28-year-old has accumulated 3,557 runs in 50 Test matches, boasting an average of 43.37, which includes eight centuries and 19 half-centuries. This record places him among the elite wicketkeeper-batsmen globally. His journey in Test cricket began on August 18, 2018, when he made a memorable debut against England, hitting a six off Adil Rashid with his second ball. Remarkably, on the same date eight years later, Pant achieved another milestone by becoming the first Indian and the fastest player to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket, reinforcing his status as a key player for India.

Pant's ability to influence matches was on full display during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. On Day Four, amid a rain-affected match, he scored a quickfire 66 runs off just 69 balls, significantly shifting the momentum in favor of the Indian team. His partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, which yielded 54 runs, showcased Pant's aggressive style, particularly highlighted by a remarkable six over wide mid-off off Lahiru Kumara. This innings not only marked his 20th Test fifty but also set Sri Lanka a challenging target of 372 runs, placing them under considerable pressure.

Teammate Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 167 runs in the first innings, praised Pant's impact, stating, “He is one of those batters you love to watch every day of the week. He really took the game to them and put them under pressure.” As discussions about his future in white-ball cricket continue, Pant's performance serves as a potent reminder of his match-winning capabilities. His ability to deliver under pressure raises questions about the feasibility of excluding him from India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, especially given his track record in Test matches.