“The management deserve credit” - Irfan Pathan’s huge remark on star batter’s performance ahead of IND vs SA 2025 3rd ODI

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised the management for sticking with Ruturaj Gaikwad for the second ODI against South Africa despite his failure in the series opener. Batting at No. 4 in his rare opportunity due to the injuries to a few sure-starters, the right-hander scored only a 14-ball eight in the opening ODI.

However, despite Rishabh Pant and Tilak Varma being in the reserves, Gaikwad was handed another opportunity in the second ODI. The 28-year-old took it with both hands, scoring a brilliant 105 off 83 deliveries.

Talking about Gaikwad on his YouTube channel ahead of the series decider, Pathan said (8:27):

"Nothing happens in one match and here, the management deserve credit. He showed what he can do and even his running between the wickets was excellent. With Tilak Varma and Rishabh Pant in the reserves, Ruturaj Gaikwad ensured with his century that questions about playing him at No. 4 won't be asked for a while. It will be interesting to see going forward if his number will be at the top or No. 4."

He continued:

"By delivering at No. 4, Ruturaj Gaikwad has told the selectors and the management that even if you bat me at an unfamiliar number, I'll produce. But like I said for the fast bowlers, if India had dropped Ruturaj Gaikwad after his failure in the first ODI, would he have scored a century? No. That's why it's important to persist. Even before the match, I said Ruturaj Gaikwad must play all three matches."

It was Gaikwad's maiden ODI century, coming in his eighth appearance for India. Unfortunately, his heroics went in vain as the Proteas pulled off a final-over victory to level the three-match series at one apiece.

"Prasidh Krishna's lengths had to be better" - Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan urged out-of-form pacer Prasidh Krishna to hit the proper lengths and utilize the yorker more in the deciding ODI against the Proteas. The speedster has struggled thus far in this series, traveling at an economy rate of 8.48 and lacking control on most occasions.

"In the previous game, Prasidh Krishna's lengths had to be better. With his height, he gets the bounce that works perfectly to the South African batters' favor. When there is no grip from the pitch, length control becomes very important. Even though Prasidh Krishna is tall, he must not leave the yorker. That's how he got Breetzke's wicket, so he must keep bowling the yorker every once in a while. The fuller he goes, the better for him," said Pathan (via the aforementioned source).

Pathan also had strong words of advice for the fields India must set for the spinners, saying:

"Coming to the spinners, the South Africans' plan was clear. They were looking to hit straight. It meant the ball was coming on nicely off the pitch without any grip. Hence, India needed to have the fielders not as wide. When the ball doesn't grip, you need to have field more straight. If the same situation arises again with the dew, keep the long off and long on straighter. It's important to cut this angle which India didn't do in the previous game."

The Indian bowlers have struggled in both ODIs, conceding over 330 runs to the South Africans on each occasion.