Aakash Chopra says Rishabh Pant will play ahead of Tilak Varma in ODI series against South Africa

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes Rishabh Pant will play ahead of Tilak Varma in the ODI series against South Africa. Pant is currently leading India in the second Test match against the Proteas but was dismissed after scoring only seven runs in the first innings.

The Delhi cricketer doesn’t have a promising record in ODIs as he has scored 871 runs in 31 ODIs at an average of 33.5. On the other hand, Tilak Varma has impressed in T20Is and also scored a match-winning knock in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan. But Varma has scored only 68 runs in four ODIs thus far.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “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 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,” Chopra went on to add.

On the other hand, Dhruv Jurel has been picked ahead of Sanju Samson and the renowned commentator said the selectors see the future in the former.

He added, “Dhruv Jurel has been selected as a batter. That is an interesting one. There are a lot of keepers, but Sanju Samson is not there. That is a question you can always ask – Samson has an average of 50, while Jurel hasn’t played ODIs. I think Indian selectors, captain and management, they all see the future in him.”

The first ODI between India and South Africa will be played at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi, on Sunday.