Washington Sundar Pick Over Rishabh Pant Sparks Strong Reactions

For the first One-Day International against South Africa in late November 2025, the Indian team surprised many by selecting Washington Sundar — batting him at number five — and leaving out Rishabh Pant from the playing XI. The decision triggered a massive wave of reactions on social media. Memes, jokes and sarcastic commentary flooded the internet as fans expressed shock, humor, and scepticism about the move.

The selection was seen by some as bold and experimental, but by others as risky, particularly because a middle-order spot like number five is usually given to a specialist batter rather than a bowling all-rounder. The mixed response reflects the uncertainty around whether Sundar can handle the pressure and responsibility of such a pivotal position in limited-overs cricket.

Why India’s Management Might Have Picked Sundar

From the team management’s viewpoint, Washington Sundar offers a combination of spin bowling and batting flexibility. In a schedule that demands depth and versatility, having an all-rounder who can bowl spin and bat in the middle order adds strategic balance — especially when senior players are unavailable or rested.

The inclusion could also be seen as part of a broader plan: investing in younger talent, giving match exposure to promising players, and experimenting to build a versatile squad for future series across formats.

Criticisms & Concerns Over the Decision

Many former players, pundits and fans expressed concern. Key criticisms include:

• A middle-order slot demands proven batting reliability — which some believe Sundar lacks compared to a specialist like Pant.
• Bowling-all-rounders batting at number five can increase pressure; failure may expose the middle order in crucial games.
• Rapid experimentation may harm team stability and fail continuity, especially in pressure situations in high-stakes matches.

The reactions indicate that while the idea of a flexible all-rounder is appealing, many prefer stability and experience in critical batting positions.

What This Move Means — Short-Term and Long-Term

Short-Term Outcomes

• Sundar now gets a major opportunity: performing well could cement his place as a genuine all-rounder.
• If the experiment fails, it may lead to immediate rethinking of middle-order batting strategy.

Long-Term Impact

• If Sundar develops well, India gains a valuable multi-format all-rounder — useful in ODI, T20, and Test scenarios.
• The move reflects a shift in Indian cricket toward testing depth, talent rotation, and building a flexible bench for future demands.
• However, frequent changes to batting order may unsettle players’ roles and expectations, requiring careful management.

My Assessment: A Calculated Risk With High Stakes

Selecting Washington Sundar over Rishabh Pant is a calculated gamble. While it brings flexibility and potential long-term gains, it also carries risk — especially in the middle order where consistency matters most. If Sundar delivers under pressure, this could be a masterstroke; if not, India might pay in terms of collapse or instability.

For now, Sundar stands at a crossroads: it’s a big chance to prove himself, but also a high-stakes move by the team management — and fans will be watching closely.