Rishabh Pant back in India’s ODI squad for South Africa series
The main news of Indian cricket! Rishabh Pant back in India’s ODI squad for South Africa series. After 16 months out of ODI format, the dynamic wicketkeeper and hard-hitter is back in the squad for the upcoming series against South Africa. The last time he played in a 50-overs match in a blue shirt was back in August 2024. For Pant, this is not just a comeback, but a real test of strength after a difficult period.
Rishabh Pant back in India’s ODI squad for South Africa series: lineup competition
But who will Pant have to compete with for a place in the starting lineup? Let’s look at the list: Tilak Varma, the young left-hander who got his chance due to Shreyas Iyer’s injury. Or Ravindra Jadeja, who also makes a comeback. The coaching staff faces a difficult choice: who should they prioritize in the middle innings? Pant undoubtedly has enormous destructive potential, but his current form leaves questions.
Let’s also pay attention to Ruturaj Gaikwad. He was on fire in the series against South Africa A, and his inclusion in the reserves is a kind of advance. The fast bowling team decided to rest key players Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, opting for Arshidip Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and Harishit Rana. This is bold, and how exactly this attack will play out, only the field will tell.
The burden of the past and new challenges
Speaking of form. Pant’s return to ODIs is overshadowed by fresh memories of the Test series failure against the Proteas. India lost 0-2, and in Guwahati, the hosts were crushed by a huge margin of 408 runs. Pant, who was vice-captain and acting captain in the absence of Shubman Gill, had a difficult time personally, with just 49 runs in 4 innings. He even published an emotional apology to the fans, admitting that the team had clearly fallen short. Now he has a chance to make things right in a different format, but the pressure will be enormous.
KL Rahul has taken over the leadership of the team in ODIs, and this is a logical step. Regular captain Shubman Gill is recovering from a neck injury sustained in the first Test match in Kolkata. Rahul will have to assemble a rather diverse team, where the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli sits alongside the youthful energy of new faces.
The three-match series begins on November 30 in Ranchi, after which the teams will move to Raipur (December 3) and conclude the clash in Visakhapatnam on December 6. Rishabh Pant back in India’s ODI squad for South Africa series, and this will be an opportunity for him to erase the bad memories, reiterate his power and make fans believe in his magic again. It will definitely be interesting to watch.
