Aakash Chopra questioned the thinking of India’s selection panel on Rishabh Pant in the ODI setup. Despite being recalled to the 15-man squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand, Pant has struggled for regular opportunities, having not featured in the format since August 2024.

Rishabh Pant’s most recent ODI appearance came against Sri Lanka in Colombo, and he was also included in the team for the South Africa series. With Shreyas Iyer unavailable, expectations grew around Pant, but the role instead went to Ruturaj Gaikwad, leaving the wicket-keeper batter without a match.

Aakash Chopra said he found it puzzling that Rishabh Pant continued to be named in squads without being afforded a single outing.

“Rishabh Pant hasn’t featured in ODIs since 2024, yet he continues to remain in the squad. He is clearly a once-in-a-generation cricketer. While it’s true that his numbers in ODIs and T20Is haven’t been particularly impressive so far, that’s only one side of the story. Keeping him around without giving him a single game since 2024 shows that the team management also believes in his ability, not just me. But when the opportunity finally comes, he still doesn’t get picked,” Chopra pointed out on his YouTube channel.

The wicketkeeper-batter has represented India in 31 ODIs, scoring 871 runs at an average of 33.50 with a strike rate of 106.21. He has also played 49 Tests and 76 T20Is, but his recent international involvement has been heavily in Test cricket.

Aakash Chopra suggested the South Africa assignment presented a timely window to assess Rishabh Pant, adding that the management let slip a chance to arrive at greater clarity over his ODI prospects.

“Every time the next opportunity comes around, it again becomes a talking point about why Rishabh Pant should play. When the chance was there, he could have been given all three games. If he performed, he would have stayed in the team; if not, it would have been fair to say he wasn’t part of the plans. He wasn’t given a single opportunity, and now that window is closed,” he added.