Don’t Write Off Rishabh Pant Yet: Irfan Pathan Reveals The India Star He Should Learn From To Revive His Career

New Delhi: The road back to the Indian cricket team has never been easy, and for Rishabh Pant, that challenge appears bigger than ever. Once regarded as the natural successor to legendary wicketkeeper MS Dhoni, Pant now finds himself on the fringes of India’s white-ball plans as the team begins preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

While the talented left-hander remains an important figure in Indian cricket, his absence from ODI and T20I squads over the past two years has raised serious questions about his immediate future. Adding to the concerns, Pant recently lost his role as vice-captain in Test cricket, signaling a changing hierarchy within the national setup.

Amid growing debate over Pant’s future, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has offered a clear message: don’t lose hope, and follow the example of Ishan Kishan.

Pathan highlighted Kishan’s remarkable journey back into the national team after spending a lengthy period outside the selectors’ plans. The wicketkeeper-batter earned his recall through consistent domestic performances and strong leadership, guiding Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title before impressing in IPL 2026.

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Speaking about India’s current wicketkeeping options, Pathan said KL Rahul remains the team’s first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs due to his flexibility and ability to perform in multiple batting positions. He also praised Kishan’s return, noting that the left-hander’s aggressive batting style provides India with a valuable alternative at the top of the order.

However, Pathan was quick to caution against completely sidelining Pant.

According to the former cricketer, Pant’s recent struggles should not overshadow his immense talent and match-winning ability. Instead, he believes the wicketkeeper-batter should use his exclusion as motivation, much like Kishan did when he found himself out of contention.

The message from Pathan is simple: success in domestic cricket can reopen the doors to the national team. By focusing on performances rather than disappointment, Pant can still put himself back in the conversation for future international tournaments.

With India beginning a new phase ahead of the next World Cup cycle, competition for places is fiercer than ever. Players such as KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson have strengthened their claims in the white-ball setup, making every opportunity count.

For Pant, the journey back may be difficult, but not impossible. As cricket history has shown time and again, careers can change quickly with a few standout performances. If he follows the path laid down by Kishan, the comeback story many fans are waiting for could still become reality.