![NSW Child Protection Review Launched After 4-Year-Old’s Death as Mother Faces Murder Charges]](https://wp.fifu.app/globalindepth.com/aHR0cHM6Ly9pLmd1aW0uY28udWsvaW1nL21lZGlhL2UzYTcyMDhjZjA3NGUxM2VlNDRkOWM3ZmJjMjcwZTBkMjQ3NTg3MTMvNjQ3XzBfNjQ3M181MTc5L21hc3Rlci82NDczLmpwZz93aWR0aD0xMjAwJmhlaWdodD02MzAmcXVhbGl0eT04NSZhdXRvPWZvcm1hdCZmaXQ9Y3JvcCZwcmVjcm9wPTQwOjIxLG9mZnNldC14NTAsb2Zmc2V0LXkwJm92ZXJsYXktYWxpZ249Ym90dG9tJTJDbGVmdCZvdmVybGF5LXdpZHRoPTEwMHAmb3ZlcmxheS1iYXNlNjQ9TDJsdFp5OXpkR0YwYVdNdmIzWmxjbXhoZVhNdmRHY3RaR1ZtWVhWc2RDNXdibWMmZW5hYmxlPXVwc2NhbGUmcz03NmU1ZTk3ODIyNzI3MWExZmMzZDNlNTIxMzUxNjMwYw/da855ca05b1a/nsw-child-protection-review-launched-after-4-year-olds-death-as-mother-faces-murder-charges.webp?w=1024&h=1024&c=0&p=53331 "NSW Child Protection Review Launched After 4-Year-Old’s Death as Mother Faces Murder Charges]")
The omission of Rishabh Pant from India’s white‑ball squads has sparked fresh debate after the teams for the ongoing T20I series and the upcoming ODI series against England were announced. While Pant remains a key figure in India’s Test side, he has been left out of both limited‑overs formats, prompting fans and pundits to question his prospects.
Former India opener Akash Chopra has weighed in on the controversy, offering his view on Pant’s current standing in India’s limited‑overs plans. After acknowledging Pant’s talent, Chopra explained why the selectors have been looking elsewhere in recent months.
Aakash Chopra opens up on Rishabh Pant’s white‑ball future
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked why Pant was not being considered for challenging overseas assignments such as those in England, South Africa and Australia. He dismissed the idea that overseas conditions automatically boost Pant’s case.
“To be honest, the conditions aren’t that tough any more. There’s only a marginal difference. 220 runs are scored on extremely flat pitches in India, and 190 are being scored here (England) as well, and in ODI cricket, more than 270 runs are scored. So I don’t think the conditions are that different. Rishabh Pant is an outstanding cricketer. He is a match‑winner, a game‑changer, and an X‑factor in red‑ball cricket, but in white‑ball cricket, he has to earn his stripes. A little wrong is happening in ODI cricket because he didn’t get enough chances, and you dropped him despite that,” he said.
Chopra also referenced Pant’s recent IPL performances. Pant had a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign with Lucknow Super Giants, scoring 312 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 138.05 before returning to Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2027 auction.
“He is not even close in T20 cricket. It’s been many seasons since he has had a rockstar IPL. Until those things change, I don’t think you will see Rishabh Pant’s name even close to white‑ball cricket,” Chopra added.
Chopra highlights India’s deepening wicketkeeping depth
Chopra further explained that India’s selectors now have several quality wicket‑keeping options across formats, making Pant’s road back considerably tougher than it was a few years ago. He cited KL Rahul, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan as players who have strengthened their claims in white‑ball cricket, while Dhruv Jurel and Jitesh Sharma have also emerged as strong contenders.
“You can’t even blame the selectors because there are many options now. Today, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are there, and Dhruv Jurel is behind them. Jitesh Sharma is there. You have got plenty of keeping options available. So I don’t think Rishabh Pant’s name would come that soon in white‑ball cricket. The line is long, and Rishabh is standing a little towards the back in that queue,” he concluded.
With competition for places intensifying, Chopra believes Pant will need to produce consistent performances in domestic and franchise cricket before he can force his way back into India’s white‑ball plans. While the wicketkeeper remains one of India’s most influential Test cricketers, his return to the limited‑overs setup may take longer unless his play demands selection.
