Mumbai: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has urged Rishabh Pant to play smarter and pay closer attention to match situations as the wicketkeeper-batter looks to strengthen his case for a place in India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Pant remains an important figure in India’s Test setup but has struggled to establish himself as a regular member of the national team in white-ball cricket. With preparations for the next 50-over World Cup gathering momentum, the left-hander faces a challenging battle to secure his place in the ODI squad.
Shastri, however, believes Pant does not need to abandon his attacking style to revive his limited-overs career. Instead, the former India coach wants him to combine his natural aggression with better judgement.
Speaking to The Times of India, Shastri said his message to Pant had consistently been to make smarter decisions while continuing to play his natural game.
“I’ve never told Pant anything other than this: be smart. He has immense ability and shouldn’t change his natural game. Just remain aware of the match situation,” Shastri said.
Pant’s Aggressive Approach Under Scrutiny
Pant’s ability to change the course of a match with his attacking batting has made him one of India’s most exciting players, particularly in Test cricket. However, inconsistency and risky shot selection have also raised questions about his effectiveness in the limited-overs formats.
In ODIs and T20Is, the demands of the game often require batters to assess conditions, the required scoring rate and the team’s position before deciding how aggressively to play.
Pant has occasionally lost his wicket while attempting high-risk shots at crucial moments, putting pressure on his place in the team. Shastri’s advice suggests that the solution lies not in restricting Pant’s natural instincts but in choosing the right moments to attack.
The challenge for the wicketkeeper-batter will be to retain the attacking qualities that make him dangerous while showing greater consistency and responsibility in different match situations.
Tough Competition for India’s Wicketkeeping Spot
Pant’s prospects are further complicated by the competition for wicketkeeping positions in India’s white-ball teams.
KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are among the players competing for opportunities, with each offering different options in the batting order and behind the stumps.
India’s selection plans ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup are likely to place considerable emphasis on form, consistency and team balance. The selectors will also need to determine which wicketkeeper best fits the role required in the middle order.
For Pant, securing regular opportunities and making the most of them will be essential if he is to strengthen his position in the ODI setup.
A Crucial Period for Pant
Despite the questions surrounding his white-ball future, Pant’s talent remains difficult to overlook. His performances in Test cricket have demonstrated his ability to produce match-changing innings under pressure.
The task now is to translate that impact into more consistent performances in limited-overs cricket. Rather than changing his identity as a batter, Pant will need to demonstrate that he can adapt his approach according to the demands of the game.
Shastri’s message is clear: Pant should continue trusting his abilities, but greater awareness of match situations could prove decisive in his bid to return to India’s ODI plans ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
