Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes Rishabh Pant will have to perform in the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh, otherwise, he could be dropped for the upcoming home fixtures. Pant could not grab his chance in the ODI series against New Zealand.
The left-hander returned with scores of 15 and 10 in the two ODIs against the Kiwis. Chopra feels Pant needs to be consistent to get his chances in the white-ball team.
Pant hasn’t been able to prove his mettle in the limited-overs format. The southpaw had scored a fine knock of 125 runs in the third ODI against England but apart from that innings, he hasn’t been able to score consistently for the team.
Pant has received backing from the team’s think tank but he hasn’t been able to stand tall to the expectations.
India also has KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan in the squad for the ODI series against Bangladesh and both of them can keep the wickets.
“Rishabh was the vice-captain on the New Zealand tour, but he won’t be in that role in Bangladesh. Ishan Kishan is also there in the mix. But the team may look at KL Rahul as a keeper-batter as Shikhar Dhawan is also there in the squad.
“But Pant continues to be the talking point. His ODI numbers are better than T20Is. He got the opportunity twice and had the time to spend in the middle, but he couldn’t utilise it properly,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Chopra reckons Pant needs to deliver in the ODI format in order to get his deserved opportunities.
“I think, he’s on thin ice. It’s a tightrope walk for him. And if he doesn’t perform in the Bangladesh ODIs, it might happen that the team’s vice-captain for the New Zealand tour may not find a spot in the squad for the upcoming fixtures at home. So, all in all, he couldn’t capitalize on the chance he got in New Zealand and now, the way ahead won’t be easy for him,” he added.
The first ODI between India and Bangladesh will be played in Mirpur on Sunday.
