New Delhi: Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is likely to be dropped from India’s ODI squad, with team management reportedly considering including Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel. Pant has been struggling to score runs in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, while Samson is strengthening his chances to be the backup to KL Rahul, who is the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter.
The Men in Blue last played an ODI series in January 2026 against New Zealand. Pant was included in that squad but was ruled out before the series started due to a side strain. Jurel was named as his replacement in the squad.
Pant was also not part of the India’s T20 World Cup squad, and returned to competitive cricket in the IPL 2026. He has only managed to score 189 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 145.79, including one fifty.
Indian selectors impressed with Samson’s IPL performance
As per a report by Dainik Jagran, citing a team management source, the Indian selectors have been impressed with Samson’s IPL performance for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He has scored 304 runs in eight matches, smashing two centuries. He has also performed brilliantly in the T20 World Cup 2026, where he was named player of the tournament.
Pant last played an ODI match in August 2024, and has scored 81 runs in 27 innings at an average of 33.30. He has smacked one century and five fifties. While Samson has featured in 16 ODIs and scored 510 runs at an impressive average of 56.66, including one hundred and six half-centuries.
His last ODI appearance came during the South Africa tour in December 2023, where he scored 108 runs off 114 balls. The Men in Blue are set to start preparations for the next ODI World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The Men in Blue will next face Afghanistan for a three-match ODI series from June 14.