IND vs SA 2025: Rishabh Pant can play in ODIs as specialist batter, says captain KL Rahul

India will be heading into the One-Day Internationals against South Africa with KL Rahul at the helm of captaincy duties in the absence of captain Shubman Gill as well as vice-captain Shreyas Iyer. Rahul, who has been keeping wickets in the format for quite some time now, feels that specialist wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant possesses enough capabilities to play as a proper batter in the series.

Although the left-handed batter has not played an ODI since August 2024, Rahul highlighted how Pant had missed out on quite a lot of cricket after the car accident he was involved in. He also stressed on how the 28-year-old has had to patiently wait on the sidelines for his chance, since the batting unit had been doing extremely well in the One-Dayers.

“Rishabh [Pant] obviously missed out due to injury, and again, he is someone who has been with the team for a long time. Everyone has seen what he brings and what he can do for the team. Like I answered them earlier, the players who are already in the team and have been performing - sometimes you just have to wait for your opportunity,” Rahul said at the press conference ahead of the first ODI.

The Mangalore-born did not confirm whether Pant would make his comeback in the 50-over format as far as the Ranchi encounter is concerned. However, he conceded that there is every possibility of Pant returning to the Playing XI as a specialist batter against the Proteas.

“You’ll get to know tomorrow [on Sunday] who will play - whether it’s me or him behind the stumps - but obviously, he is good enough to play as a specialist batter as well. But if he is in the eleven, then obviously he will take the gloves, and I will be the fielder,” he added.

It is interesting to note that the two have played 15 ODIs together. However, Rahul and Pant have not been a part of the same XI since 2022. Rahul was granted the wicketkeeping duties for India during when Pant was out of competitive action while recovering from his horrific car accident and a few injuries that followed.

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