Former India star Aakash Chopra has highlighted the contrasting trajectories of Rishabh Pant’s career, arguing that the selection committee has essentially moved on from the dynamic batter in white-ball cricket while continuing to back him strongly in the red-ball format, underscored by his recent appointment as Rest of India captain. Speaking ahead of India’s upcoming ODI series against the West Indies—which kicks off on September 27—Chopra pointed out that Pant’s minimal 50-over appearances in recent years and omission from the T20 setup after the 2024 World Cup signal a clear direction as the team builds depth for the 2027 ODI World Cup under captain Shubman Gill. The 15-member squad features notable inclusions like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and new vice-captain KL Rahul alongside wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, while Chopra also drew attention to the intriguing race for World Cup reserve spots between in-form openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, as well as the prospect of uncapped talent Auqib Nabi getting his chance.
