India edged out South Africa by 17 runs in the first One-Day International (ODI), but questions over team selection continue to linger. While the win provided a positive start to the series, critics are pointing out the inconsistency in India’s batting order and the absence of key players.
Ruturaj Gaikwad made a return to the ODI squad and was slotted into the middle order, filling in for Shreyas Iyer. Despite Gaikwad’s prolific domestic record as an opener, he was asked to bat at number four in Ranchi, which raised eyebrows among cricket analysts and fans alike.
Rishabh Pant’s Long ODI Absence
One major talking point is the exclusion of Rishabh Pant, who hasn’t played ODIs for over a year. Former India batter Aakash Chopra expressed his surprise at Pant’s continued absence.
“They are not in favour of playing Rishabh Pant either. When will you play him? This was the opportunity to slot him in the middle order. They played someone at number four who hasn’t done so before, so was number five,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Team India’s Batting Order Under Scrutiny
Chopra also commented on the confusion surrounding India’s batting order, calling it a “different type of disorder.” Despite the uncertainty, he acknowledged that the “three titans of the golden generation” managed to guide India to victory in the first ODI.
Looking ahead, India will aim to continue their winning momentum in the second ODI, scheduled to be played in Raipur on December 3 (Wednesday). Fans will be watching closely to see whether the team makes changes to accommodate players like Rishabh Pant and optimize the batting lineup.
