Aakash Chopra has analysed Rishabh Pant's position in India's white-ball setup following the wicketkeeper's exclusion from the ODI squad for the West Indies tour. The squad was announced on September 16, 2026, with Dhruv Jurel selected as the backup wicketkeeping option instead of Pant. This selection marks a significant shift in how the team is approaching the wicketkeeper position.
Chopra shared his assessment on Jio Star, pointing to what he sees as a clear message from the selection committee
regarding Pant's immediate future in limited-overs cricket. The analyst highlighted the contrast between Pant's standing in Test cricket and his status in the ODI format, noting that the decisions made across both formats reveal the selectors' thinking.
"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, he was stripped of his vice-captaincy duties there as well. But in ODI cricket, without playing, he's been bid goodbye," Chopra said on JioStar.
Contrasting roles across formats signal selector intent
Pant's last ODI appearance came on August 7, 2024, against Sri Lanka, meaning he has been absent from the format for over two years. His involvement in white-ball cricket has been minimal during this period, with limited opportunities to stake a claim for selection in the squad. The vacancy for a backup wicketkeeper arose after Ishan Kishan's involvement in the Asian Games 2026 left him unavailable for the West Indies tour.
Chopra further elaborated on the broader context of Pant's situation across formats. He noted that despite the changes to Pant's Test role, the selection committee's approach to his ODI future appears settled. The analyst also referenced Pant's recent appointment as captain of the Rest of India for the Irani Cup, which he interpreted as a signal about the team's intentions regarding the longer format.
"At the same time, he has been made the captain of the Rest of India (ROI), which also tells you that, with respect to red-ball cricket, they are very serious about Rishabh playing a huge role in the longer format. But for white-ball cricket, as of now, I think this selection committee has made up its mind," Chopra said.
The West Indies ODI series will begin on September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram, with the second match scheduled for September 30 in Guwahati and the final ODI on October 3 in New Chandigarh. Pant's absence from the squad means he will not feature in any of these matches.
