Is it time for MS Dhoni to hand over the batton to Rishabh Pant | Photo Credit: AP

MS Dhoni's declining batting prowess has earned him criticism from several former greats and cricket experts. After a disappointing limited overs campaign against England, Dhoni couldn't impress with the bat yet again in the recently concluded Asia Cup where he could manage just 78 runs in four innings. After Rishabh Pant's brilliant 92 off 84 balls in the first Test against West Indies on Friday, former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar has batted for inclusion in the ODI squad for the upcoming five-match series.

Pant missed out on his second successive Test hundred by just eight runs after giving away a catch to Keemo Paul of Dewender Bishoo's bowling on day two of the first Test in Rajkot. The 21-year played with his natural aggressive style as he slammed eight boundaries and four sixes in his superb innings. After witnessing his remarkable stroke play in red-ball cricketer Agarkar said it was hard to believe that Pant is not a part of the limited overs side.

“I can’t believe he (Pant) is not part of the India’s shorter format setup,” Agarkar said during a show in ESPN Cricinfo. He added that the left-hander should be given an opportunity in the 5-match ODI series that is to get underway after the Test series even if it comes at MS Dhoni's expense

“Hopefully they do that (ODI for Pant) sooner, rather than later, against the West Indies in the ODI series. There are five ODIs and there will be an opportunity to play him somewhere, whether as a batter or a wicketkeeper. I mean you know what Dhoni can do and there is no harm in resting him for a couple of games," said Agarkar.

Currently, Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik are India's two wicket-keeping options in the limited overs format. While Dhoni had a dismal outing in the UAE, Karthik managed a decent 146 runs in five innings. However, with Pant's recent heroics in red-ball cricket, Agarkar believes the left-hander should be played ahead of Karthik and Dhoni should be rested.

Pant scored an impressive 114 in the final fifth Test against England at the Oval, he followed it up with another stunning knock in Rajkot and continues to prove his mettle in red-ball cricket. Suggesting a batting position for him, Agarkar reckoned that Pant should be played at the number six position if not the top order.

“He (Pant) is a good striker of the ball and looks like a batsman for all formats of the game, he looks the part,” Agarkar said. “In the top six, purely with his batting ability there no doubt in my mind that he has to be given the opportunity to see whether he is good enough. There is no left-hander (in the middle-order) and the way he strikes the ball, it is suited for any format," he added.