The Indian cricket team's management has frequently emphasised the need for 'flexibility' in recent times. This philosophy is now facing a significant test as selectors deliberate over the future of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant in the One-Day International setup. The core question is whether the think-tank will persist with experimentation or choose a path of continuity with the 2027 World Cup in sight.
The Rishabh Pant Conundrum
By conventional logic, Rishabh Pant's position in a 15-member squad should be secure. He has served as the backup wicketkeeper to KL Rahul for the past 18 months. Since his remarkable recovery from a serious car accident, Pant has played just one ODI, which was on a challenging turning track in Sri Lanka in August 2024. Before his accident, his record was impressive, averaging over 41 with a strike rate nearing 110 while batting at the crucial No. 4 position.
However, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Gautam Gambhir has solidified his role as head coach, and Shubman Gill has taken over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma. The new leadership has championed 'flexibility' and a move away from a perceived 'superstar culture' in selection matters.
Experts Voice Concerns Over Selection Consistency
The upcoming three ODIs against New Zealand, while seemingly low-key, are part of a critical build-up phase. India is scheduled to play only about 20 ODIs before the 2027 World Cup, making each series vital for planning. Former national selector Devang Gandhi highlighted the risks of inconsistent selection. He acknowledged the good work in starting the transition but warned that constant changes hurt stability.
"If Pant has been your No. 2 wicketkeeper and is dropped without playing, you are challenging your own selection process," Gandhi told TOI. "There needs to be consistency in selection, otherwise it doesn't send a good signal to players coming up the ranks." Reports suggest selectors initially intended to rotate Pant and Rahul during the six home ODIs this season, but the continued reluctance to field Pant hints at a potential trust deficit.
A Call for Clarity and Long-Term Planning
Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta expressed deeper worries, drawing parallels to the middle-order backup crisis before the 2019 World Cup. He stressed that Pant, who has been part of the system since 2018, could still have a career spanning seven to eight years.
"My only fear is a repeat of 2019," Dasgupta said. "If they feel they can maximise his potential, they must start working with him. If not, they must identify a definite second wicketkeeper — and not keep changing without giving the player a full run." He also defended Pant's modest returns in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy, played on difficult Bengaluru pitches, stating it's unfair to judge a player who hasn't played the 50-over format for nearly three-and-a-half years.
The situation echoes similar misalignments seen in Test cricket regarding players like Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy. As India moves forward under a new regime, the handling of Rishabh Pant will be a clear indicator of whether the 'flexibility' principle fosters healthy competition or creates unsettling uncertainty in the dressing room.
