Rishabh Pant Dropped: The ‘Downfall’ of India’s Star in ODI and Test Cricket
The Shifting Tides: Rishabh Pant‘s Exclusion from the National Setup
The landscape of Indian cricket is known for its rapid transitions, but few could have predicted the swiftness with which Rishabh Pant has moved from a leadership candidate to a notable absentee. The Indian Men’s Senior National Selection Committee recently announced the squads for the upcoming one-off Test and the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, and the most glaring headline was the total exclusion of Rishabh Pant from the limited-overs setup and his removal from a senior leadership role in the longest format.
For many fans and analysts, Pant was seen as a future mainstay across all formats. However, the latest decisions by the selectors suggest a significant shift in strategy, prioritizing current form and tactical specificities over historical reputation. This shake-up has sent ripples through the cricketing community, sparking intense debate over whether this marks a temporary hiatus or a permanent decline for the explosive wicketkeeper-batter.
The Stripping of the Test Vice-Captaincy
Perhaps the most significant blow to Pant’s standing within the team was the decision to remove him as the vice-captain of the Test side. Leadership in the red-ball format is often seen as a mark of stability and long-term vision. Pant had taken over as the deputy to the captain during the tour of South Africa in November 2025, stepping up when Shubman Gill was sidelined by injury.
Unfortunately for Pant, that stint did not yield the results the BCCI was looking for. Under his leadership and influence, India suffered a demoralizing 0-2 whitewash against the Proteas. While a captain’s performance is often judged by the collective effort, the selectors seem to have reviewed his track record as vice-captain and found it lacking the ‘stellar reading’ required for a future leader. Consequently, KL Rahul has been appointed as the new Vice-Captain, signaling a return to a more established leadership hierarchy.
IPL 2026: The Catalyst for Change
The primary driver behind the selectors’ harsh stance appears to be Pant’s recent form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Currently leading the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Pant has struggled to find his rhythm with the bat and has been unable to steer his franchise into the playoff contention. With LSG already eliminated from the race for the title, the pressure on Pant intensified.
In the modern era, IPL performance is no longer just a metric for T20 selection; it serves as a barometer for a player’s confidence and technical proficiency. Pant’s inability to deliver match-winning performances in the high-stakes environment of the IPL provided the selectors with the evidence they needed to look elsewhere. His dismissal from the ODI squad is particularly telling, as it suggests the committee no longer views him as an indispensable backup in the 50-over format.
A Long Absence from the ODI Field
While the IPL may have been the final straw, the data reveals a deeper trend regarding Pant’s involvement in the ODI squad. Despite being listed as the second-choice wicketkeeper for several series, Pant has not actually played a single ODI match since August 2024. This lack of game time has made it difficult for him to justify his spot, especially with other players knocking on the door.
Furthermore, Pant has already found himself outside the plans for India’s T20I transitions. By being dropped from the ODI squad as well, he now finds his international career restricted to potentially only the longest format, where even his role as a senior leader has been revoked. This narrowing of opportunities raises serious questions about his future in the white-ball circuit.
New Faces and Tactical Shifts: Gurnoor, Prince, and Harsh Dubey
The exclusion of a star like Pant usually means the arrival of fresh talent. The selection committee has shown a clear inclination toward diversifying the bowling attack and rewarding domestic consistency. The inclusion of Gurnoor in both the Test and ODI squads highlights a strategic move toward ‘HTD’ (Hit-The-Deck) bowlers. These tall, fast bowlers are increasingly being favored for their ability to extract bounce on varied surfaces.
Alongside Gurnoor, the call-ups for Prince and Harsh Dubey have been met with positive reactions from the cricketing fraternity. Harsh Dubey, in particular, has secured a place in the squad after impressive performances, proving that the selectors are willing to back new blood over established names who are currently underperforming.
Social Media Reactions: The ‘Downfall’ Narrative
As expected, social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have been abuzz with reactions. The word ‘downfall’ began trending shortly after the squad announcement. Fans have been vocal about the rapid decline in Pant’s fortunes, with some pointing toward management changes as a possible reason. Some users have even speculated that Gautam Gambhir’s influence on the selection process may have played a role in the decision to strip Pant of his leadership duties.
While some fans expressed disappointment, calling him ‘unlucky’ to be removed from the ODI scheme of things, others hailed the BCCI’s decision as ‘excellent,’ citing the need for accountability and performance-based selection. One social media post summarized the sentiment of many: “Rishabh got stripped off Test vice-captaincy and they covered it up by dropping him from the ODI squad.”
What Lies Ahead for Rishabh Pant?
The road back to the top for Rishabh Pant will not be easy. Without the cushion of the vice-captaincy and without a spot in the white-ball squads, he must now return to the grind of domestic cricket or wait for a significant change in form during the remaining matches of the season to prove his detractors wrong. For a player who was once considered the ‘X-factor’ of Indian cricket, this current phase represents the toughest challenge of his career. Only time will tell if Pant can reinvent himself and reclaim his status as one of India’s premier multi-format cricketers.
