Stand-in Captain KL Rahul hinted at the possibility of Rishabh Pant featuring in India's playing XI for the series-opening ODI against South Africa. Rahul expressed confidence in Pant's ability to contribute as a specialist batsman, independent of his wicketkeeping duties.
"Pant is good enough to play solely as a batter," Rahul remarked, signaling a shift in the team strategy where Pant could be utilized primarily for his batting skills.
This approach suggests flexibility in team composition, allowing India to strengthen its batting lineup without necessarily relying on Pant's role behind the stumps.
KL Rahul’s endorsement highlights Pant’s evolving role and the team's intent to maximize his strengths. This could influence India's selection tactics in upcoming matches.