• Home
  • Cricket Analysis
  • 3 Reasons Why Rishabh Pant Should Not Be In Indias Playing Xi For 5Th Test Vs Australia

3 Reasons Why Rishabh Pant Should Not Be In India's Playing XI For 5th Test Vs Australia

Rishabh Pant at MCG (AP Photos)Rishabh Pant at MCG (AP Photos)

Rishabh Pant is a talent that no one can ignore. He has the ability to win games for his team single-handedly and his aggressive intent has been pretty successful at the Test level for India. He was one of the stars of India's memorable series win in Australia last time around. However, he has not been able to live upto his billing in the ongoing BGT and has faced lot of criticism for his shot selection and approach.

There are now calls for his omission from India's playing XI in the final Test, and if the management does take that bold call, it would need a solid reasoning. Let's now try to dig deeper into Rishabh Pant's performance and the reasons why he could be dropped for the final Test.

Poor Returns In Four Tests

Rishabh Pant came into BGT 2024-25 with high reputation and good form. Many cricket pundits expected him to score lot of runs and become an x-factor for India. However, the wicketkeeper batter has scored just 154 runs in seven innings. He has got his runs at an average of just 22 and his highest score is 37, which came in the first innings of the opening Test.

His failure has amplified India's problems with seniors like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli already struggling, and India might go for a more stable and reliable option in the final Test.

Wake-Up Call Against Irresponsibility

Rishabh Pant has been guilty of throwing away his starts in this series. He has also lost his wickets with extravagant shots which looked completely out of place when team was under the pump after quick wickets. 

Pant is now six years into his international career and is one of the seniors who is expected to be more responsible in pressure situations and stand up in adverse situations. It is something that Pant has not been able to do in this series and though he has looked comfortable in the middle, irresponsible strokeplay has brought his downfall. 

It is important that Pant comes up with more flexible approach where he understands the siuation of the game and plays accordingly. He is almost undroppable from the Test squad due to his exploits in the past, but the omission in the final Test, might just be a good wake-up call and help him understand his flaws and come up with more matured approach in future.

Quality Replacement - Dhruv Jurel

If India drop Rishabh Pant at SCG, they already have a quality wicketkeeper option in the form of Dhruv Jurel. The young cricketer played the opening Test as a pure batter and could be a welcome addition into the playing XI with quality skills and temperament at his disposal. 

Before the series, Dhruv Jurel scored twin fifties in tough batting conditions for India A in Melbourne, showing that he has all the ingredients to succeed in Australian conditions. Jurel has also played some fine knocks under pressure for India and has batted well with the tail, which can be crucial again in the final Test.

Also, Jurel brings hunger to score runs and prove his mettle in Australia which might unleash a fresh energy in the team and could work in favour of India.