Rishabh Pant has not featured in an ODI for India since August 7, 2024, when he played against Sri Lanka. An injury then ruled him out of the ODI series
against New Zealand in January 2026, with Dhruv Jurel named as his replacement. With India building their squad ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, the debate around Pant's place in the 50-over format has returned.
Pant has played 31 ODIs and scored 871 runs at an average of 33.50, including one century and five fifties. His top score of 125* shows he is capable of match-defining innings. At 28 years old, he still has time to cement a role in the ODI setup if given consistent opportunities.
Here are top 3 reasons Rishabh Pant deserves another go in ODIs:
3. Left-handed balance in the middle order
Pant's left-handed batting stance makes him a rare commodity in India's ODI middle order, which is predominantly right-handed. On the occasion that Yashasvi Jaiswal does not play, India could be stuck with a top-five of just right-handers, which could make it easier for teams to bowl at the side.
Pant's inclusion would provide a natural left-handed option in the batting lineup, reducing the team's dependence on all-rounders to supply that balance. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are both left-handed, but they are selected primarily for their bowling contributions rather than as specialist batters.
2. A reliable wicket-keeper-batter option
Pant's role as a wicket-keeper-batter gives the team an additional keeping option in the 50-over format. His 27 catches and one stumping across 31 ODIs reflect a reliable pair of gloves behind the wicket. Having a second dependable keeper in the squad gives selectors greater flexibility when managing workloads or injuries.
KL Rahul currently takes the gloves for India in ODIs, but Pant's inclusion could make way for Rahul to operate as a pure batter, taking away the burden of wicketkeeping off his shoulders. Pant has also showed flexibility in his batting roles in the side, being able to anchor the innings and play as a reliable finisher as well.
1. Power game and finishing ability
His power game, which has produced 91 fours and 26 sixes across his 31 ODI matches, makes him a genuine finisher option. He has also shown the ability to rebuild an innings after a collapse, which is a quality that holds value in the 50-over format.
Pant averages 33.50 and strikes at 106.21 in the ODI format, which is a reflection of his ability to score runs quickly and contribute in all situations. His century in England in 2022 showed his ability of also being able to hold the innings together during a collapse, while his power game could see him function as an enforcer when the game needs to be sped up in the middle overs.
