Ravi Shastri Urges Rishabh Pant to Be Smarter at the Crease

Ravi Shastri has said Rishabh Pant should not alter his natural style of batting, but needs to be smarter and more aware of match situations as his place in India’s limited-overs plans comes under increased scrutiny.

Pant remains India’s No. 1 choice in Test cricket, according to the report, but is no longer in contention for spots in the ODI and T20I sides. With India building towards next year’s ODI World Cup, the wicketkeeper-batter is not part of the picture in the 50-over format, placing added focus on his white-ball form and approach.

Speaking in an interview with the Times of India, former India coach Shastri said his advice to Pant has consistently been straightforward: retain the ability that makes him a dangerous batter, while making better decisions in the flow of a match.

Shastri’s message: keep the natural game, be smart

“I’ve never told Pant anything other than this: be smart,” Shastri said. “He has immense ability and shouldn’t change his natural game. Just remain aware of the match situation.”

The comment draws a distinction between asking Pant to become a different player and asking him to adapt his decision-making to the demands of particular moments. Shastri’s view is that Pant’s attacking instincts should remain intact, with greater match awareness providing the balance.

Pant’s aggressive, high-risk method has delivered game-changing performances in Test cricket. However, the report identifies inconsistency and risky shot selection at key moments as major factors behind his reduced standing in white-ball cricket.

In ODIs and T20Is, the same approach has at times resulted in dismissals when India required him to build an innings or provide stability. The challenge, as outlined in the report, is finding a better blend of caution and aggression in shorter formats rather than abandoning the positive intent that has defined his batting.

Competition adds pressure to Pant’s limited-overs position

Pant is also operating in a highly competitive wicketkeeper-batter group. KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are named in the report as players whose consistency and flexibility have increased the pressure on places in India’s white-ball setup.

That competition means selection is not determined by talent alone. The report says the team management is placing value on reliability and match awareness ahead of major limited-overs tournaments, two areas that have become central to the debate around Pant’s role.

For Pant, the contrast between his Test status and his limited-overs position is significant. He remains the preferred wicketkeeper-batter in the longest format, but his omission from ODI and T20I consideration shows how quickly the requirements can change across formats.

What Pant must address in white-ball cricket

Shastri’s advice offers a clear path without calling for a wholesale change in Pant’s batting identity. The emphasis is on being smarter: assessing the match situation, recognising when an innings needs to be built and choosing the right moment to attack.

India’s planning for next year’s ODI World Cup makes that adjustment particularly important. Pant’s ability is not in question in Shastri’s assessment; the issue is how effectively that ability can be applied within the demands of limited-overs cricket.

As competition for wicketkeeper-batter places continues, Pant’s opportunity to return to India’s white-ball reckoning will rest on showing the reliability and situational awareness highlighted by Shastri, while preserving the natural attacking game that remains his greatest strength.