Why is Rishabh Pant ruled out of ODI series against Bangladesh?

The Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has been released from the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, said Indian Cricket Board on Sunday. He was released following the consultation with the medical team and no replacement has been named. 

Rishabh Pant has played 66 T20Is so far in his career, he has scored 987 runs at an average of 22.43 and at a strike rate of 126.37. His highest score in the shortest format of international cricket is an unbeaten knock of 65 runs from 42 balls which included four fours and four sixes against West Indies at Providence in August 2019.

“In consultation with the Indian Cricket Board Medical Team, Rishabh Pant has been released from the ODI squad. He will join the team ahead of the Test series. No replacement has been sought,” the Indian Cricket Board said in a media release.

Axar Patel to miss the first ODI against Bangladesh

Left-arm all-rounder Axar Patel is set to miss the first ODI against Bangladesh which is played at Shere Bangla Stadium, Mirpur on Sunday. According to sources, Axar is nursing a bruised rib after taking a hit while batting at the nets. Although, there was not a specific reason stated behind the 25-year-old Delhi franchise skipper. He is the first-team all-format player to have got a break after the completion of the 20-20 World Cup last month which took place in Australia. 

While players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were rested after the humiliating defeat against England in the semi-final of the 20-20 World Cup. Pant went with the team to New Zealand for the three-match ODI and T20I series. 

The first and second ODI will be played at Shere Bangla Stadium, Dhaka on December 4, and on December 7, 2022, respectively. The third ODI and the first test will be played at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram on December 10, and December 14 respectively. The second test and the final match of the series will be played in Dhaka. 

India’s ODIs core team will be seen together consisting of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, and KL Rahul would be seen playing together after a long time. They last played together in March 2021. The four of them together have featured in only six ODI matches since the 2019 50-over World Cup.