Stand-in Captain KL Rahul dropped a strong hint on Rishabh Pant's potential inclusion in India's playing XI for Sunday's series-opening ODI against South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, stating that the explosive wicketkeeper-batter is "good enough to play as a specialist batter" if required. Speaking during the pre-match press conference on Saturday, Rahul emphasized Pant's value to the team, noting his long-standing contributions and the impact he can make purely with the bat. "Rishabh 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," Rahul said. Pant, absent from ODIs since August 2024 due to persistent injuries, was recalled to the squad as the second wicketkeeper behind Rahul, marking his return to the 50-over format after a 15-month gap.

Rahul kept the final XI under wraps, confirming that decisions would be finalized closer to the toss, but clarified that if Pant features, he would take the gloves, allowing Rahul to focus on batting at his preferred No. 5 or 6 position. "Of course if he is playing, he will take the gloves, but we will see that tomorrow," the skipper added, underscoring the flexibility in the lineup amid injuries to regular captain Shubman Gill (neck) and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer (back). This setup opens a middle-order slot, with Pant's aggressive strokeplay potentially complementing the established top order of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Virat Kohli. Pant's ODI record stands at 871 runs in 31 matches at an average of 33.50, but his white-ball dynamism—evident in T20Is—makes him a wildcard for the hosts seeking redemption after a 0-2 Test whitewash.

The nod to Pant as a specialist batter highlights India's evolving ODI strategy under head coach Gautam Gambhir, prioritizing match-winners who can accelerate in the middle overs against South Africa's balanced attack led by pacers Marco Jansen and Nandre Burger, with Kagiso Rabada ruled out due to a rib injury. Rahul, who has shouldered keeping duties in recent ODIs, expressed readiness to bat higher if needed but stressed the importance of backing in-form players like Tilak Varma and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who are also vying for spots. Gaikwad, returning after a two-year absence, impressed against South Africa A with a century and half-century, and Rahul confirmed he will get opportunities in the series, potentially at No. 4 to provide stability.

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India's squad blends experience with youth, featuring Ravindra Jadeja's return for all-round depth and a spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel's absence opening doors for Nitish Kumar Reddy. Rahul admitted the team's recent struggles against spin in the Tests—a factor in the home defeats to New Zealand and South Africa—require technical and tactical tweaks but insisted the ODI mindset differs: "ODI cricket is about reading situations better." The skipper also anticipated a potential boost from MS Dhoni's presence in his hometown, Ranchi, calling it "energizing" for players and fans alike.

With the series serving as a crucial audition for the 2027 ODI World Cup—India's first major 50-over ICC event since 2011—Rahul's comments signal confidence in Pant's versatility to inject firepower while maintaining balance. South Africa, under Temba Bavuma, aims for a clean sweep across formats, but India's depth could turn the tide in Ranchi, where past ODIs have favored batsmen on true pitches.

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