Rishabh Pant or Tilak Varma - who should bat at number 4 for India in IND vs SA 2025 1st ODI?

In Shreyas Iyer's absence, either Rishabh Pant or Tilak Varma are likely to bat at the crucial No. 4 position for India in the first ODI of the three-match series against South Africa, which begins in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30. Pant was part of India's Champions Trophy 2025 squad, but did not play a match in the tournament, while Varma has been picked in the ODI team on the back of his Asia Cup exploits.

If we take a look at India's likely XI for the first match of the ODI series against South Africa, Rohit Sharma will open the innings with either Yashasvi Jaiswal or Ruturaj Gaikwad. Virat Kohli is set to occupy the No.3 slot, while skipper KL Rahul is most likely to bat an No. 5. He will be followed by all-rounders and bowlers. So, only one of Pant or Varma can fit into the playing XI for now.

While Pant has the experience of 31 ODI matches, Varma has played only four. However, the latter has been in tremendous form of late in the T20I format. In fact, the 23-year-old was the Player of the Match in the 2025 Asia Cup final played against Pakistan in Dubai. So, it will be a tough call for the team management to pick the No. 4 batter for the opening one-dayer against South Africa.

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Rishabh Pant should get the nod ahead of Tilak Varma if he is playing as keeper-batter

Assuming that Rahul plays as a pure batter since he will also be leading the Indian team, which is likely to be the case, Pant should bat at the No. 4 position. This would tactically be the right move. Yes, the southpaw has not grabbed his opportunities in ODI cricket. However, it would be a bit too much to expect Rahul to keep wickets and also lead the side since he is not a regular wicket-keeper.

Having been named captain for the three-match ODI series, his focus on the field should be to devise tactics and manage field placements. Rahul is still raw as captain and a keeper (since he does it part-time). Hence, it would be in the overall interest of the team that he focuses on leading the side and his batting. There have been question marks over his leadership, so this is a good chance for him.

If we talk about Pant, he should consider himself extremely lucky to be part of the ODI squad despite his poor record in the format. In an ideal scenario, Sanju Samson ought to have been part of the team as the frontline wicketkeeper ahead of Pant. He deserved to be picked as he averages 56 in ODIs. However, now that Pant has got the opportunity, he must ensure that he grabs it with both hands.

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Varma could come in if Pant fails in the first two ODIs

Assuming Pant is picked for the first couple of one-dayers against South Africa, but fails to make an impact with the willow, the Indian think-can can then ponder on replacing him with Varma for the last match of the ODI series. Of course, in such a scenario, things would not be ideal since captain Rahul would then be forced with the additional burden of keeping wickets as mentioned earlier.

At the same time, it is only fair that Varma also gets a chance to prove his credentials in the third ODI against the Proteas in the event of Pant failing to grab his opportunities. He has been around the T20I set-up for a few seasons now and has played some terrific knocks. If the Indian team management sees him in the scheme of things for the next World Cup, then he should be tried out for sure.

In a nutshell, Pant should be the preferred No. 4 for the first ODI against South Africa, but Varma should get a go if the former continues to disappoint.