Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan made an interesting choice as he picked Rishabh Pant and not KL Rahul for the wicketkeeper's slot while predicting India's playing XI for the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11.
It is important to note that Pant has not played an ODI since August 2024, as Rahul has been India's first-choice wicketkeeper in the format. Pathan believes that the three-match ODI series could be a great opportunity to give Rahul a breather and test out Pant.
Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have made their comebacks to the Indian team after missing the ODIs against South Africa due to injuries. Pathan kept both of them in his playing XI and also picked three all-rounders - Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar - to add balance and depth to the side.
