In lieu of skipper Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul will be leading India’s captaincy duties going into the One-Day Internationals match against South Africa. Rahul believes that specialised wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has sufficient skills to play as a legitimate batter in the series. Rahul has been keeping wickets in the format for a considerable amount of time.
KL Rahul pointed out that Pant had missed a significant amount of cricket due to his involvement in a car accident, even though the left-handed batsman hasn’t played an ODI since August 2024. He also emphasised how the batting unit had been performing incredibly well in the One-Dayers, forcing the 28-year-old to wait patiently on the sidelines for his opportunity.
“Rishabh [Pant], who has been with the squad for a long time, definitely missed out because of his injury. Everyone has witnessed his contributions and abilities to the team. At the press conference before the first ODI, KL Rahul stated, “As I previously responded to them, sometimes you just have to wait for your opportunity. The players who are already in the team and have been performing.”
Regarding the Ranchi encounter, the Mangalore native did not disclose if Pant will return in the 50-over format. He acknowledged, though, that Pant might make a comeback to the starting lineup as a specialist hitter against the Proteas.
“You’ll find out tomorrow [on Sunday] who will bat, whether it’s him or me behind the stumps, but he is clearly capable of playing as a specialist batter as well.
However, he will undoubtedly take the gloves if he is in the eleven, and I will be the fielder,” KL Rahul continued.
The fact that the two had participated in 15 ODIs together is intriguing. But since 2022, Rahul and Pant have not been in the same starting lineup. While Pant was recovering from his terrible automobile accident and the accompanying injuries, Rahul was given the responsibility of keeping wicket for India.
On Sunday, November 30, the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi will host the first of the three ODIs.
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