They may want to win this one, you know. Especially after the blunder- shall we call it that way- as seen in the recently-concluded Test match. But that said, there’s another debate brewing as far as the choice of the wicketkeeper-batter choice for India’s white-ball contests against the Proteas stand. And this debate is a rather interesting one, you know. What is it, then? The debate over the wicketkeeper-batsman slot for India’s 2025 ODI series against South Africa isn’t just about flair or left-handed variety — it’s about choosing the bat most likely to deliver under pressure. By that simple metric, Sanju Samson deserved a long, hard look over Rishabh Pant.
Samson’s ODI record is tidy.
Whenever given a chance, he’s shown composure, technique and reliability — the kind of steady hand you want anchoring the middle overs in a 50-over contest. By contrast, Pant remains the brute-force option: punchy, thrilling, but prone to risk. That works in T20; in ODIs, it too often ends in a flare-and-fail. With nearly double the uncertainty, India’s risk-reward ratio tilts in favour of Samson.
Maybe more tellingly, Samson has already proved he can thrive against the South Africans even if those aren’t his conditions in the imminent future
His last outing there produced a composed century — not a T20-blitz, but a patient innings built on grit, timing and balance. Those are the very qualities that matter when the bounce is awkward and the bowlers nag at the seam. If ever there was a time to back temperament over theatrics, this was it.
Call it conservatism if you like.
Of, you are totally free to call it safe.
But when a team looks to build an innings — not chase fireworks — you pick your most dependable bat. Samson’s presence would have added structure, steadiness and a calm head under pressure to what is already a star-studded Indian lineup. Sometimes, what looks safe ends up being the only thing that wins the game.