Chopra Questions India’s ODI Selection as Pant Stays Benched

The former opener says inconsistent choices have left Pant in squads without a defined role.

Overview

Rishabh Pant has not played an ODI since August 2024 yet was retained in India’s 15-member squad for the New Zealand series announced on January 2.
Aakash Chopra called Pant a generational talent while noting his modest limited-overs returns of 871 ODI runs at 33.50 with a 106.21 strike rate from 31 matches.
Chopra highlighted the South Africa series as a missed chance to assess Pant, as he was not picked even with Shreyas Iyer absent.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, used at No. 4 against South Africa and scorer of a 105 in the second ODI, was then left out of the New Zealand ODI squad.
Chopra argued selectors and team management appear misaligned, with India’s ODI series against New Zealand beginning January 11 in Vadodara.