Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has selected the Indian playing XI for the opening ODI against South Africa, with a surprising exclusion of Rishabh Pant. Instead, Patel has opted for Tilak Varma to bat at No. 4 in the series opener at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30.
Rishabh Pant, who is making a return to the ODI setup after a significant gap, has struggled to cement his place in the limited-overs format despite his success in Test cricket. With an average of 33.50 in 31 ODIs and just one century to his name, Pant’s inclusion has been a subject of debate. Additionally, with KL Rahul taking over the wicketkeeping duties, Pant’s role in the team has been further questioned.
On the other hand, Tilak Varma, who has been a consistent performer in T20Is, has featured in four ODIs and boasts impressive List A numbers. With a strong half-century against South Africa in Paarl and five centuries in List A cricket, Varma has caught the attention of the selectors and has the potential to make an impact in the ODI series.
Parthiv Patel, speaking to Star Sports, has suggested a playing XI that includes three spinners and three fast bowlers, with the choice between Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy depending on the conditions. The former Indian cricketer has placed his faith in Varma to bat at No. 4 in the lineup.
Parthiv Patel’s Team India XI for the first ODI includes Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar/Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh.
The decision to leave out Rishabh Pant could be attributed to his recent struggles in the Test series against South Africa, where he failed to make a significant impact with the bat. With low scores and questions surrounding his form and confidence, Pant’s omission from the playing XI highlights the team management’s focus on giving opportunities to other talented players.
As India looks to bounce back from a disappointing Test series defeat, the ODI series presents a chance for redemption. With a new-look playing XI and a blend of experience and youth, the hosts will be eager to put up a strong performance against South Africa in the upcoming matches.
Edited by Parag Jain
