Rishabh Pant may return to ODIs as India captain against South Africa
India cricket team star Rishabh Pant’s return to One Day International seems luminous as the wicketkeeper-batsman could be selected as the captain of India’s ODI series against South Africa. Pant participated in a One Day International last in August 2024. He is currently captaining the Indian team in the ongoing 2nd Test in Guwahati in the absence of Shubman Gill. According to a report from The Week, the BCCI top brass does not seem to be in a hurry to bring Shubman Gill back into action after the captain is ruled out of the ongoing second Test due to a severe neck injury he suffered in the first Test at the Eden Gardens. Instead, Pant, who took over the reins of the Test team, is expected to continue as captain for the ODI series as well. It is pertinent to point out that while other seniors like KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma can lead the side. Shreyas Iyer was the vice-captain, but he is too unlikely to be a part of the series, leading to the selectors and the management zeroing in on Pant to lead the side in the ODIs as well. The report states that since Gill is an integral part of the T-20I set-up as well, the management does not want to take any chances, given that he is a certain part of India’s XI in the upcoming T-20 World Cup 2026. In fact, the Punjab batsman might as well skip the ODI series to be fit for the T20Is vs SA that will take place between 9th and 19th December. As for Pant, he last featured in an ODI way back in August 2024 against Sri Lanka. Since then, he has been ruled out of the 50-over and T-20Is format, with Rahul being picked as the first-choice keeper-batter in ODIs.
Srikkanth’s explosion on ODI selection: ‘Best is to be like Harshit Rana and be a constant yes-man to Gambhir to be selected!’
Former India chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth lambasted the team management for the inclusion of Harshit Rana in the ODI squad for the Australia tour on Saturday. Srikkanth sharply questioned the selectors for repeatedly changing the ODI squad, particularly pointing out the omission of Sanju Samson as back-up wicket-keeper, while including Harshit Rana, who debuted across formats in just four months since November 2024. Srikkanth argued that such changes create confusion and insecurity among players, highlighting Rana’s rapid rise as emblematic of inconsistent selection policies. “Constant, unpredictable selections are confusing the players and even the public. One day, Yashasvi Jaiswal is in, the next, he’s out. The only fixture seems to be Harshit Rana, whose continuous selection is unexplained. This inconsistency undermines player confidence,” Srikkanth stated. “You don’t pick some players even if they do well and take others even if they don’t. Best is to be like Harshit Rana and be a constant yes-man to Gambhir to be selected. You should start building towards the 2027 World Cup. But I feel they have not. If you pick Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy among the probabilities, then you can wave goodbye to the trophy,” an unfiltered Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. “Some players are overlooked despite strong performances, while others like Harshit Rana remain favored regardless of form. It seems following Gambhir is the only path to selection now. India should be building for the 2027 World Cup, but current choices—like picking Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy—signal we’re far from winning,” Srikkanth told his YouTube audience. Rana made his Test debut during India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour to Australia last year, picking up four wickets in two matches. He later made his ODI debut against England before featuring in the ODI Champions Trophy squad in the United Arab Emirates. Rana had a forgettable Asia Cup, conceding 79 runs for two wickets in as many games. Srikkanth had also slammed the Delhi pacer after he ended up leaking 54 runs for a solitary wicket against Sri Lanka in the Super 4s. “Harshit Rana does too many filmy gimmicks. All these filmy reactions aren’t of any use, you’ve to actually bowl well. He also exhibits these dramatic reactions in the IPL. This is not a good attitude; it’s just showboating. He drives after the ball is already past him. Why dive after the goal has already been scored? Aggression is different, but showing so much at a young age is why he got punished today,” the former India captain had said.
Forthcoming India-Bangladesh tour yet to be confirmed, says the BCB president
The Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam has informed on Monday that the BCCI has yet to confirm the India tour of Bangladesh as it is still awaiting for government clearance. After Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s T20 retirement and a sudden exit from the Tests, the world cricket is waiting to see them in India colours. In April the BCB has confirmed the dates for India’s tour featuring three ODI match series followed by a three match T20I series. As previously confirmed by the BCCI, Rohit Sharma will remain the captain of this format. “I have already spoken to the BCCI. The discussions have been positive,” said Aminul Islam on Monday. “We are hopeful. The tour is scheduled, but they are waiting for the government approvals” If the BCCI fails to get the approval, the appearance of Rohit and Kohli in Indian colours will be delayed until the tour of Australia in October.
