Photo via Hindustan Times

Why Rishabh Pant was not picked for India’s ODI squad: The 'team management feedback' that shaped selectors’ call

Rishabh Pant has been excluded from India's upcoming home ODI series against the West Indies, with selectors opting for Dhruv Jurel instead. Pant, whose sole fifty-over international since his severe December 2022 vehicular crash came in August 2024 during a tour of Sri Lanka under head coach Gautam Gambhir, was bypassed despite openings created by Asian Games participation and other vacancies.

Key team figures reportedly concluded that the left-hander had underperformed relative to his skill in shorter formats, directing him instead to lead the Rest of India team in the Irani Cup.

While KL Rahul retains the primary wicketkeeper duties, Jurel earned selection following an exceptional Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign where he amassed 558 runs across seven turns at an average of 93, including two hundreds and four fifties. Pant, who had captained Delhi in the 2025/26 tournament to record 212 runs with two half-centuries in six innings, missed out despite the absence of regulars like , , and Axar Patel.