3 reasons why India dropping Rishabh Pant for the 5th BGT 2024-25 Test would be the wrong move

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's spot is reportedly under the scanner ahead of the fifth Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test. As per a report by The Indian Express, there are discussions ongoing over his place in the side.

Pant played a risky shot and was dismissed at a crucial juncture in the fourth Test in Melbourne, triggering an India collapse. Subsequently, the 27-year-old was criticized for his shot selection.

The left-hander was advised by analysts and commentators to bat more sensibly in tough situations and not go for risky shots. He hasn't been able to convert starts into big knocks in the ongoing series, leading to reports of a potential drop.

India are 1-2 behind heading into the final Test in Sydney. The visitors desperately need a win to draw the series and retain the BGT. In such a scenario, dropping an experienced and senior player could be a bold and risky move.

Ahead of the Sydney showdown, here are three reasons why the decision to leave out Pant would be the wrong thing choice.

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#3 Dropping a senior and experienced player would not be ideal in such a scenario

Rishabh Pant is now among the experienced and senior players in the side. He has played 42 Tests and has scored 2847 runs with six hundreds and 14 fifties. Pant has been successful against Australia in Australia as well. From 11 Tests Down Under, he has scored 778 runs at an average of 45.76 with one hundred and two fifties.

The fifth Test being the final one of the series, and a must win game for India to draw sqaure, dropping an experienced player may not be a sensible call. The visitors need to field their best possible combination to give themselves a strong chance of winning the game.

While Pant getting out irresponsibly is a matter of concern, the left-hander is more than capable of rectifying his errors. With his experience, Pant knows how to play the long game alongside his natural attacking game, like he did in the second innings in Melbourne.

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#2 The need for strength and stability in the batting order

Despite not performing as per expectations so far, Rishabh Pant is the kind of player a team must have in their Test side. India's batting has not been consistent in this series and has struggled throughout.

With the batting looking fragile for most, the visitors will need Pant in the batting order. He not only brings stability and confidence, but also has an attacking style of play. It is well known that the left-hander can take the attack to the opposition and put some pressure back on the bowlers.

Australia have their heads ahead at the moment. The pressure will be on the Indian team. In such a scenario, having a batter in the middle who brings stability and strength at the same time is a must. For the Indian batting to not succumb under pressure, Pant is the kind of player needed, keeping his form aside.

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#1 Rishabh Pant's successful record in Sydney

The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) has been a happy hunting venue for Rishabh Pant in this format. He registered the highest Test score of his career so far at this very venue back in 2019.

During the first innings of the Sydney Test in 2019, Pant slammed an unbeaten 159 off 189 deliveries, including 15 fours and a six. When India returned in 2020-21, the left-hander played another impressive knock in Sydney.

He scored 36 runs in the first innings and 97 off 118 balls in the second essay. He slammed 12 fours and three sixes in the latter knock.