Rishabh Pant is all set to return as India’s fist-choice wicketkeeper in the ICC Champions Trophy. While his last ODI match came in August 2024 against Sri Lanka, the southpaw made his return to the 50-over format after being on the sidelines for over a year due to a horrific car crash. Since that series against SL, he has been involved only in red-ball cricket. While he did play in the first round match of the second leg of Ranji Trophy, it would have made more sense if he had played the IND vs ENG T20I series as warm-up for the marquee event.
Why Pant should have played IND vs ENG T20Is instead of Ranji
Pant’s return to Ranji Trophy after a gap of seven years yielded poor results. Following the BCCI’s directive to all the Test regulars to play domestic cricket, the southpaw featured in Delhi’s game against Saurashtra. However, he only managed scores of 1 and 17 in two innings. He is also set play in Delhi’s next match against Railways which begins on January 30.
While it makes sense to get the big stars to play in Ranji compulsorily, it is rather unwise for the team management to ask Pant to play red-ball cricket when there is no Test scheduled for the next six months at least. Additionally, he would have rather benefited from some white-ball experience by playing in the T20Is before the ODI series and Champions Trophy.
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It is pertinent to point out that Pant’s form in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was poor, there was no need for the board to rush him to play domestic red-ball cricket, for it is his shot selection that needs improvement rather than technique, unlike Rohit, Kohli or Gill.
Further, the big stars of the Indian team will only take part in two domestic red-ball games before returning to white-ball cricket. These two matches aren’t certainly enough for them to improve their game. Hence, mandating them to play in the tournament seems more like an eyewash rather than a genuine attempt to improve their game. With Pant and Kohli in the Delhi side for the game against Railways, it essentially means that two other deserving youngsters would perhaps lose their spots in the side.
Pant instead of Jurel in T20Is
Instead of giving Pant some rest or even a much-needed warm-up for Champions Trophy, the selectors decided to give Dhruv Jurel a chance in IND vs ENG T20Is. The keeper-batter, who is much better off in the red-ball format than the shortest format, is not just eating up a spot in India’s squad which Jitesh Sharma or Prabhsimran could have occupied, but also fared poorly in the 2nd T20I. Besides, Pant would have been a better back-up option for Sanju Samson in the side.
Pant will feature in the IND vs ENG ODI series that will commence after the T20Is. He will certainly feature in all the matches as a warm-up for Champions Trophy. However, the argument remains that what was the need to ask him to play more red-ball cricket when a hectic white-ball schedule awaits the southpaw over the next couple of months.
