IND vs SA 2025: Former national selector sees no place for Rishabh Pant in India’s ODI XI

Former national selector Saba Karim believes Rishabh Pant will not find a place in India’s XI during their three-match ODI series against South Africa. The 50-over leg of the series commenced on November 30.

Karim highlighted that the only way in which Pant could make a comeback to the ODI setup is an injury to any of the first-choice players. The ex-wicketkeeper also pointed out that the management will most likely lean towards playing an all-rounder in place of the left-handed batter. 

“I would love to see him in the XI, but I think the way the XI is going to be constructed, I see no place for Rishabh Pant at this stage. He comes in because Shubman Gill is not there in the side and once you have decided to pick Tilak Varma in the XI, you see KL Rahul coming in as a wicketkeeper-batter. Then, you have the all-rounders coming through,” stated Karim, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Karim also predicted Tilak Varma to be the ideal candidate for the No. 4 spot. He also spoke on the potential the left-handed batter possessed in white-ball cricket and that he could solidify his position in the squad if he performs well in the series. 

“Tilak Varma is the right player to get in place of Shreyas Iyer, because then you have a very solid top order with Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, number three Virat Kohli. Tilak Varma has shown immense promise so far in white-ball cricket. This is a good opportunity for him to come good even in one-day cricket. So, I see Tilak Varma at number four,” he added.

Karim was correct in his projection, as Pant was not selected in the XI for the ongoing first ODI at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. India have been put in to bat after the Proteas won the toss and opted to field first.

Ruturaj Gaikwad was brought into the setup in place of Tilak. The three pacers to play in the first ODI are Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna. The Men in Blue are coming off a 0-2 loss in the Test series.