NDTV Sports reported on January 2, 2026, an 'open secret' within the Indian team management regarding a disapproval of Rishabh Pant's high-risk, aggressive batting style. This sentiment, attributed to a report by the news agency PTI, suggests that at least one member prefers a more traditional batting approach from the wicketkeeper-batter. The article was published during a critical period leading up to the selection of India's squad for the One Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand. The report highlighted Pant's limited involvement in ODIs in 2025, noting he didn't play a single match in the format despite being part of the Champions Trophy squad and the series against South Africa. His performance in the then-ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy was characterized as patchy, managing only one half-century across four matches. This ongoing discussion about his batting style is not isolated; former India cricketer Aakash Chopra criticized Pant's reckless shot selection during an Indian Premier League match in April 2024, and former spinner Amit Mishra issued a warning in December 2025 about the necessity for Pant to adapt his game to avoid being dropped. Speculation was rife about Pant's place in the ODI squad, with Ishan Kishan or Dhruv Jurel being considered as potential replacements. Subsequently, an update on January 11, 2026, confirmed that Dhruv Jurel was named as Pant's injury replacement for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand after Pant sustained a right-side strain during a practice session. Pant's last ODI appearance for India was in August 2024 against Sri Lanka. The recurring concerns over his batting template underscore a broader conversation about consistency, shot selection, and adaptability required from a top-tier player in the Indian white-ball setup.