The left-handed wicket-keeper batter has a strong case for an ODI recall as India plan for the 2027 World Cup.
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.