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Former selector Saba Karim reckons that India will pick Tilak Varma over Rishabh Pant in their playing XI for the first ODI against South Africa. Karim feels that Varma is the right batter to replace Shreyas Iyer at No. 4, adding that India would be forced to play with five specialist bowlers if they pick Pant as well.
Having lost the Test series 2-0, India will be hoping for a much better performance in the ODI series, which begins with the first match at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30.
During an interaction on ESPNcricinfo, Karim backed young Varma to replace injured Shreyas at No. 4 in the first ODI against South Africa. Sharing his thoughts on the Varma vs Pant debate, he commented:
"Tilak Varma is the right player to get in place of Shreyas Iyer, because then you have 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."
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On why he feels Pant would not be part of the playing XI in Ranchi, Karim said:
"I would love to see him in the 11, but I think the way the 11 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 11, you see KL Rahul coming in as a wicketkeeper. Then you have the all-rounders coming through.
"So the other option is to play Rishabh Pant low down the order and play with only five specialist bowlers and get maybe Tilak Varma or Yashasvi Jaiswal to bowl two, three overs," the former India keeper concluded.
Pant was part of India's Champions Trophy 2025 squad, but did not play any match. He has featured in 31 ODIs so far, while Varma has played four.
"He is good enough to play as a specialist batter" - KL Rahul on Rishabh Pant ahead of 1st IND vs SA 2025 ODI
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Indian captain KL Rahul did not confirm the playing XI. He, however, asserted that Pant is good enough to play as a specialist batter. The Indian skipper said:
"For Rishabh, he is good enough to play as a specialist batter, but we will see tomorrow. Of course, if he is playing, he will take the gloves, but we will see that tomorrow."
Rahul also confirmed that he would continue to bat at the No. 6 spot despite the absence of Iyer and Gill due to injuries.
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