IND v SA 2025: “When will you play Rishabh Pant?”- Aakash Chopra asks; wants Ruturaj Gaikwad to get three full chances
Aakash Chopra pointed out the confusion and mixed signals being given as the Indian team transitions in the ODI setup as well. He pointed out the tale of two players who have been chosen in the Indian squad for the ongoing three-match ODI series against South Africa.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was visibly unhappy with the BCCI selectors’ decision regarding the use of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rishabh Pant in ODIs, arguing that India can’t talk about building for 2027 while still experimenting blindly with players’ core roles.
Chopra views Ruturaj Gaikwad’s performance as a classic example of appraising a player in a part that is not his own. The opener stepped in at number four in Ranchi, seemed to settle in, but was dismissed by Dewald Brevis, a decision that was more about the catch than the shot itself.
“I really don’t understand what is going on. Ruturaj Gaikwad has never batted at No. 4 in ODIs. You sent him to that position, and he got out only because Dewald Brevis took a stunning catch,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Chopra also stated that he pleaded with the Indian team management to give Gaikwad all three matches to play in after he was dismissed for 8 runs, thanks to a brilliant catch by Dewald Brevis.
“When he was dismissed, I literally folded my hands and said, ‘Please give him three full chances. Even if he fails, don’t discard him immediately. Don’t judge him on just these three performances. His main job is to open the batting. Until you can give him that position, you don’t have any right to pass a verdict on his ODI career,” said Chopra.
If Gaikwad is to be considered a long-term ODI opener, he must be rated accordingly, rather than just a plug-in number four. According to Chopra, a transition period cannot simply be code for musical chairs.
If Gaikwad’s case is about role uncertainty, Chopra sees Rishabh Pant’s as an example of unexplained non-use. Even when the middle order is clearly depleted, a fully fit Pant stays on the sidelines of the ODI XI.
“And now Rishabh Pant—when will you actually play him? He is a pure middle-order batter, best suited at No. 4 or No. 5, and yet you don’t pick him even when there is space in the middle order. Instead, you send two players who have never batted in those positions,” Chopra said.
The second ODI between India and South Africa will be played in Raipur on December 3.
