Former cricketer Aakash Chopra questioned the roles of Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy after India announced their squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand on Saturday, January 3. The pants would fit for three matchesThe 27-year-old retained his place as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Verma dropped out of the squad that played against South Africa.
While Tilak’s exit was expected with Shubman Gill’s return to the side, many were shocked to see Ruturaj not go through the cut despite scoring a hundred in his last innings. Chopra went on X and said that Ruturaj missed out as Shreyas Iyer is back in the sidesubject to permission. However, the former cricketer questioned why India did not use Pant at No.4 during the South Africa series when there was a chance for him to play at No.4.
India have picked Ruturaj ahead of Pant in all three matches against the Proteas.
Ruturaj misses out as Iyer is back. So does Tilak, because Gill is back. And that begs the question – why didn’t they play Pant at 4 when the opportunity arose against SA? Since you continue with him as a back-up keeper, it would make a lot more sense to play him in Iyer’s absence.
The curious case of the Nitish
Another player Chopra was unhappy about was Nitish, who was picked in the team in the absence of Hardiuk. However, with India going with four pacers, Nitish’s chances will be less. Chopra questioned how the all-rounder still struggles to get playing time despite being considered an indispensable part of the team.
“Also, if NKR is indispensable, why doesn’t he get a match? Even if India field 3 pacers? Does he get a match now? With four pacers? How can you prepare for the future (read Pandya’s absences) when he keeps warming the bench?” Credit: Aakash Chopra X
India will take on New Zealand in Vadodara in the first ODI starting on January 11.
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Published on:
January 3, 2026
