In order to ensure his return to India’s T20I setup, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will have to rack up best performances in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, feels former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra. Pant has been out of action for India in T20Is since July 2024 and also didn’t play a single game in the recently concluded Champions Trophy. 

Chopra is of the belief that Pant needs to churn out strong performances to mount pressure on the likes of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, who have been constantly present in India’s T20I side over the past few months. In the IPL, Rishabh Pant will be leading Lucknow Super Giants, having been bought by the franchise for a whopping sum of INR 27 crore. The former Indian cricketer also urged Pant not to bat at the top of the order.

"Rishabh Pant has a big opportunity. He is currently not a part of the T20 team. He is not even part of their scheme of things. People are surprised why such a strong player cannot get a consistent run in T20s. So, this is your season, sir. Come and score so many runs so that everyone is shaken. Where he would bat would be a question,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“There are a lot of discussions that he would open as keepers are batting there. You don't have to compete with Sanju Samson. You have to make your own place properly. There is no need to bat above No. 3 or No. 4. If you get a great start, come at No. 3, keep all three left-handers at four, five and six, and go after every bowler."

Chopra further underlined that this is a big platform for Pant to get recognition as a captain and seal his spot in India T20I setup with eye-catching innings. 

"There are two things. Firstly, take the team forward. Then you get recognised more as a captain. Secondly, you return to reckoning regarding the T20I team if you score runs. I am still not convinced that the T20 team playing will also play next year in the World Cup. The T20 selections will be very dynamic. So this IPL will play a huge role in who is moving forward and able to make his place again. So I see a huge opportunity for Rishabh Pant as a captain with a new franchise and as a batter," he added.