Ever since Rishabh Pant was positioned as the second-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs, behind KL Rahul, the selectors have been pushing strongly for his inclusion,
even dating back to the Champions Trophy cycle. However, Pant hasn't quite received the level of backing from the current team management under head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At the moment, it appears that there is room for only one wicketkeeper-batter in the playing XI, and that spot undisputedly belongs to KL Rahul, who has been one of India's most consistent performers in white-ball cricket over the last few years.
The situation is a stark contrast to the Virat Kohli era, when India often fielded multiple wicketkeeper-batters in the same XI to maximize flexibility and batting depth. There were matches in which MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul were all part of the lineup - an unusual luxury for any international side.
Today, the team's strategic direction appears far more streamlined, forcing Pant to fight harder for his place, despite his proven match-winning abilities.
Otherwise, one must ask: how can Pant be left out of the playing XI even purely as a specialist batter? In the ongoing ODI series against South Africa, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been given preference over Pant that too without Shreyas Iyer not being s part of the team, suggesting that the team management is exploring alternatives despite Pant's reputation as a proven match-winner in limited-overs cricket.
This decision has raised eyebrows within cricket circles, with many believing that a senior voice within the BCCI may need to intervene and remind Gambhir of Pant's value to the national side - both in terms of his explosive batting ability and his big-match temperament.
There is also a school of thought that believes Pant needs to listen to his coach and take greater responsibility for his innings. However, Pant being Pant, he has always played on instinct and backed his own game - sometimes to his own detriment. In today's era of highly structured and analytical cricket, he no longer has the luxury that someone like Virender Sehwag once enjoyed, where absolute freedom was encouraged regardless of outcomes.
Should he consider stepping away from the ODI team? One can imagine Pant wondering what the point is in waiting on the sidelines if the team management isn't supportive enough. The frustration would be understandable for a player who has delivered some of India's most iconic modern Test and ODI performances.
Yet, as they say, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. With his talent and proven match-winning ability, a strong comeback may only be a matter of time - provided he receives clarity and consistent backing.
