India might have started the ODI series against South Africa with a solid 17-run victory, but the scorecard hides a glaring issue in the middle order. While veterans like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul stood tall, the experiment with Ruturaj Gaikwad at number four fell flat. As we head into the second ODI, it is time for the team management to look past the safe option and bring back the sheer match-winning ability of Rishabh Pant.
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In the first match, Gaikwad looked uncomfortable in a role that isn't natural to him. He is technically an opener, and forcing him into the middle order backfired, resulting in a dismissal for just 8 runs. Rishabh Pant, however, is a "genuine middle-order batter" compared to Gaikwad, and that distinction matters.
You cannot fit a cuboidal block in a round hole just to accommodate a player. Critics and analysts often obsess over matchups. They point out that Pant averages only 19.8 against left-arm spin compared to Gaikwad’s superior 69.8. They argue that with Keshav Maharaj likely returning for South Africa, a bowler who has dismissed Pant three times in 27 balls, Rishabh Pant should sit out.
But cricket is not played on spreadsheets. Gaikwad might have the better stats on paper, yet he failed when he took the field. Pant brings an "X-factor" that statistics cannot quantify. He is one of the most "fearless cricketers" India has ever produced. With Shreyas Iyer out injured, this series is the perfect window to reintegrate Pant into the 50-over setup.
Yes, his inclusion would mean more left-handers in the lineup, but Pant’s ability to disrupt a bowler’s rhythm is worth that tactical risk. The first ODI showed us that playing it safe with a makeshift number four doesn’t work. For the second ODI, India needs to stop worrying about matchups and start backing their match-winners. It’s time to unleash Rishabh Pant.
