Rishabh Pant faced challenges in his performance during the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The wicketkeeper-batter accumulated a mere 255 runs across nine innings, prompting some fans and former players to call for his removal by Ajit Agarkar and the selection committee.

In an effort to regain his form, he is expected to make a comeback in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, which is slated to commence on January 23. In the meantime, Agarkar is scheduled to announce India's squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 on Saturday in Mumbai.

Sanjay Manjrekar urges Ajit Agarkar to drop Rishabh Pant

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, while speaking on Star Sports, recommended that Agarkar consider excluding Pant from the forthcoming tournament. He proposed alternatives such as Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, and Sanju Samson to fill the role. Manjrekar articulated that in 50-over matches, it is crucial for teams to enhance their scoring during the middle overs, a task that could be better managed by other players.

"I would suggest that Pant might need to sit out the occasional 50-over tournament. The middle overs are pivotal in a 50-over game. If acceleration is required later, players like Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, and Sanju Samson could be utilized as wicketkeepers. They are worth considering," he stated.

Rohit Sharma and his team faced a disappointing 1-3 defeat in Australia, a series marked by numerous controversies. Virat Kohli had a heated exchange with the Australian media and was involved in a shoulder bump incident with Sam Konstas. Additionally, R Ashwin announced his retirement immediately following the third Test under contentious circumstances. Captain Rohit chose to withdraw from the final Test after a series of underwhelming performances. The sole bright spot was Jasprit Bumrah, who was named Player of the Series.

Despite not having a dominant presence in ODI cricket, Pant has demonstrated his potential in the format. In 2022, he achieved his first century against England and maintains an impressive boundary rate of 59.7 per cent along with a strike rate of 107.5. Samson, a strong candidate for replacement, last participated in an ODI in December 2023 against South Africa, where he scored a century.

Read Also: Fakhar Zaman's Take on Kohli and Rohit: Class and Legacy Prevail Over Current Struggles

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!