'Your math is not mathing' - Aakash Chopra slams selectors over Rishabh Pant’s ODI snub

Published - 07 Jan 2026, 17:25 IST | Updated - 07 Jan 2026, 17:29 IST

Aakash Chopra has raised serious questions over India’s selection logic after the ODI series against South Africa, pointing out what he sees as a lack of clarity between the selectors and the team management, particularly concerning Rishabh Pant and Ruturaj Gaikwad.

The former Indian opener criticised how Pant has repeatedly been part of the squad without being assigned a clearly defined role. Chopra warned that such uncertainty can harm a player’s standing within the team, especially when opportunities are scarce despite consistent selection.

Chopra was equally puzzled by Ruturaj Gaikwad’s omission from the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Gaikwad was preferred over Pant at No. 4 in the South Africa series and even scored runs, yet he found himself dropped soon after. Ruturaj scored a century in the second ODI against South Africa, scoring 105 off 83 balls.

He further suggested that the selectors and team management may not be aligned in their thinking. According to Chopra, while selectors might view Gaikwad as a backup opener, the team management appears willing to play him in the middle order, only to then exclude him altogether.

"It seems like the selectors are thinking something, and the team management is thinking something else. The selectors might be saying that they have kept Ruturaj as an opening backup, but the team management says they would play him at No. 4, play Tilak Varma, and play Washington Sundar at No. 5, but won't play Rishabh Pant. It is not working out," Chopra observed.

Washington Sundar batted at No. 5 in the first ODI against South Africa, while Tilak Verma was picked up for the series decider in the third ODI against South Africa, but did not get a chance to bat.

India will be next in action in an ODI series against New Zealand, with the opening match scheduled to be played in Vadodara on January 11.