India’s explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who was once an all-format player for the national team, has now become a one-format player under Gautam Gambhir’s regime. Rishabh Pant is now struggling to retain his place and the reason for this is not just form or competition.
Gautam Gambhir vs Rishabh Pant: Explosive rift behind Pant’s shocking ODI miss revealed
The huge internal rift between India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has come to the fore and this has directly resulted in the left-handed batsman losing his place in the ODI team. During Gambhir’s tenure, Pant is struggling to retain his place in the team.
Also read: Rishabh Pant out of best Test XI for 2025
The competition has intensified with Ishan Kishan, Dhruv Jurel and Sanju Samson but internal issues between Gambhir and Pant have forced them to drop out of the white-ball team. Pant, once considered an automatic choice in all formats, has now become a one-format player.
Gambhir-Pant Why did the Cold War start?
Sports Tak journalists Vikrant Gupta and Nitin Srivastava talk about Rishabh Pant in ODI cricket (Sports Tak).
– “Nothing is going well between coach Gautam Gambhir and Rishabh Pant. There has been no conversation between them since the Guwahati Test.”
Because of this Pant… pic.twitter.com/mnRpkZ873x– Manu. (@IMManu_18) 30 December 2025
According to Sportstak journalists, there has been a rift in the relationship between Gambhir and Pant. Gambhir has clear preferences for some players, and others are paying the price for it.
It is being said that the baggage of the past and unresolved issues are influencing the decisions and Pant has become the biggest name to be affected by this personal fallout. At present nothing is going well between the coach and the wicketkeeper.
Things reportedly turned worse after the Guwahati Test, where India suffered a humiliating defeat.
Result of selection: Entry of Kishan and Jurel
This situation has had a direct impact on team selection. Ishan Kishan’s return to the T20I setup is being seen as a move that has left Pant out of the white-ball plans. KL Rahul remains the first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs, while Dhruv Jurel has moved forward as the preferred backup.
Also read: Yuvraj Singh reported to join Gautam Gambhir’s coaching staff amid dismissal rumors
Ishan Kishan is also back strongly thanks to his excellent form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. As things stand, Pant is set to miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand at home, with Jurel and Kishan now being seen as the second-choice options.
Gautam Gambhir on ice, BCCI tightens grip
The pressure on Gautam Gambhir as India’s head coach is rapidly increasing and his future now completely depends on the results. A Cricket Book YouTube channel indicated that Gambhir was on the verge of losing his job, but the BCCI has given him temporary relief.
However, the caveats are clear and non-negotiable. If India fails to win the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Gambhir will be shown the way out. According to reports, after the sudden discussion about bringing VVS Laxman into the Test team, BCCI has already started putting pressure behind the scenes.
This was a deliberate move by the BCCI to grab headlines and remind Gambhir that his situation is under constant review. Tension has also come to light regarding the team’s decisions. The BCCI and the selectors, especially RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha, intervened and took control of important decisions, asking Gambhir to focus only on winning matches.
