IND vs AUS 5th Test: Will Rishabh Pant be dropped from India's Playing 11?

A storm brews over Team India's camp as reports suggest Rishabh Pant’s audacious shot selection has landed him in hot water with Gautam Gambhir. The head coach is reportedly considering a bold move—benching the flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter in favour of Dhruv Jurel, a younger and perhaps more cautious option.  

 

However, this could be a bold decision given Pant has been considered a modern-day great in the red-ball format since his The Gabba heroics. 

 

 

Rishabh Pant Test runs
In Host Country	Span	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	BF	SR	100s	50s	0s
in Australia	2018-2024	11	19	2	778	159*	45.76	1166	66.72	1	2	0
in Bangladesh	2022-2022	2	3	0	148	93	49.33	162	91.35	0	1	0
in England	2018-2022	9	17	0	556	146	32.7	838	66.34	2	2	1
in India	2018-2024	13	21	2	1061	109	55.84	1181	89.83	2	9	1
in New Zealand	2020-2020	2	4	0	60	25	15	122	49.18	0	0	0
in South Africa	2021-2022	3	6	1	186	100*	37.2	282	65.95	1	0	1
in West Indies	2019-2019	2	3	0	58	27	19.33	122	47.54	0	0	0

  History repeating: Echoes of Kapil Dev’s lesson  

 

 

If Gambhir pulls the trigger, it will evoke memories of the 1984 tour of England when cricketing legend Kapil Dev faced a similar reprimand for his reckless stroke play. The omission became a watershed moment, etched in the annals of Indian cricket.  

 

Jurel steps into the spotlight  

 

Adding weight to the speculation, Dhruv Jurel was afforded equal net practice time as Pant during Thursday’s session. The balance of power seemed to shift subtly, with Jurel’s inclusion appearing more likely by the hour.  

 

Gambhir’s tough talk: honesty over harmony  

 

When pressed by an Australian journalist about his reaction to India’s 184-run debacle in Melbourne, Gambhir didn’t hold back. He hinted at a no-nonsense conversation with the team, underscoring the need for collective accountability and a renewed focus on the greater good of the team.   

 

Tensions simmer: Pant seeks solace in camaraderie  

 

Amid the mounting pressure, Pant was seen deep in discussion with vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah. While their conversation remains a mystery, it was a stark reminder of the undercurrents within the Indian dressing room.  

 

Gambhir’s confidence amid chaos  

 

Despite the turbulent build-up, Gambhir remained defiant. “I am extremely confident of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy,” he declared. Whether his players can mirror his confidence will decide the fate of India’s World Test Final aspirations.