Rishabh Pant’s place in India’s ODI team could be under pressure, as the team management is said to be looking at other options like Sanju Samson and young Dhruv Jurel. Pant hasn’t been in great form in IPL 2026, while Samson has been scoring consistently, which has helped his chances of becoming the backup to first-choice wicketkeeper KL Rahul.
India last played an ODI series in January against New Zealand at home. Pant was part of the squad but had to miss the series because of a side strain. Dhruv Jurel was then brought in as his replacement.
Rishabh Pant fails to perform in IPL
Pant made his return in the IPL, where he is leading Lucknow Super Giants. But his performance with the bat hasn’t been very strong so far. He has scored 189 runs in eight innings, with a strike rate of 145.79, and has crossed 50 only once.
Why Samson could replace Pant in ODIs?
According to a source close to Jagran, Samson has caught the selectors’ attention with his performances for Chennai Super Kings. He has scored 304 runs in eight matches, including two centuries. His good form has continued from the time India won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament.
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Pant last played an ODI in August 2024. In his ODI career so far, he has scored 871 runs in 27 innings at an average of 33.50, with one century and five half-centuries.
On the other hand, Samson has played 16 ODIs and scored 510 runs at an average of 56.66. He has one century and six fifties. His last ODI match was during India’s tour of South Africa in December 2023, where he scored 108 runs off 114 balls in a 78-run win.