Team India wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant visited MS Dhoni’s Ranchi home on Thursday (November 27) before the ODI series against South Africa. The first match of the series will be played on Sunday (November 30) at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi. Pant is currently in the city along with the Indian ODI squad.
Pant last played earlier this week when he captained India in the Test series against South Africa, which ended badly with a 408-run defeat and a whitewash. With the ODI series starting soon, Pant will look to regain his spot in the playing XI, especially with a couple of positions open.
Before the ODIs begin, Pant was seen visiting Dhoni’s house in Ranchi. The two share a friendly relationship and have been spotted together at several events over the years. Star Sports also posted a video on Instagram giving fans a glimpse of their meeting.
You can watch the video here:
“He’ll be in the playing XI” — Aakash Chopra on Rishabh Pant before IND vs SA ODIs
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra stated that in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa, only one of Rishabh Pant or Tilak Varma is likely to be included in the playing XI. He believes the team management may lean towards Pant because he was part of the Champions Trophy winning squad. Sharing his views in a recent YouTube video, Chopra said:
“The kind of cricket Tilak Varma has been playing, you start feeling that he should also play ODIs. But where will you play them? I don’t think he will be in the XI. One of him or Rishabh Pant will play. Pant was part of the Champions Trophy squad that India won.”
He further continued:
“He did not play a game in the tournament, so on what basis will you drop him? He had to be there and I think he will be part of the playing XI. Pant might, in fact, take the gloves and KL Rahul might play as a pure batter as he will be leading this side.”
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