“My only fear is a repeat of 2019” - Former India cricketer’s blunt attack on team management ahead of IND vs NZ 2026 ODIs

Former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta advised the team management to have clarity when it comes to their plans with Rishabh Pant in ODIs. Much of the discussion leading up to the squad announcement for the upcoming New Zealand ODIs has centered on Pant's place in the side.

The 28-year-old has been largely the backup wicketkeeper to KL Rahul in the 50-over format, with his last appearance coming in the 2024 Sri Lankan tour. However, with several contenders gunning for the spot, Pant's place is under severe threat despite the gloveman playing only sparingly in ODIs.

Talking about Rishabh Pant's place in India's ODI setup, Dasgupta told TOI:

"My only fear is a repeat of 2019, when you didn’t prepare backups in the middle order. Pant can still serve for another seven to eight years. If they feel they can maximise his potential, they must start working with him. He has been part of the system since 2018. If not, they must identify a definite second wicketkeeper — and not keep changing without giving the player a full run, because there aren’t many ODIs before the World Cup."

He added:

"I won’t judge him by the runs. He hasn’t played the 50-over format for nearly three-and-a-half years. Before his accident, he had started finding his feet in ODIs. It’s about how much you want to back him."

Pant has a mediocre ODI record with an average of under 34 despite an excellent strike rate of over 106 in 31 outings.

"You are challenging your own selection process" - Devang Gandhi on the Rishabh Pant conundrum

Another former Indian cricketer, Devang Gandhi, believes Rishabh Pant should be given a fair run in ODIs before a decision is made on his selection. The southpaw has played only one 50-over game for India since the start of the 2023 season.

"The team management and selection committee did a good job when they started the transition process. But constant chopping and changing doesn’t help stability. If Pant has been your No. 2 wicketkeeper and is dropped without playing, you are challenging your own selection process. There needs to be consistency in selection, otherwise it doesn’t send a good signal to players coming up the ranks," said Gandhi (via the aforementioned source).

Pant has found the going tough thus far in the ongoing 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, averaging only 30.25 at a strike rate of 85.21 in four matches. Meanwhile, the three-match home ODI series against New Zealand begins on January 11.

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran