India’s star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, is not included in the playing XI for the IND vs ENG 1st ODI in Nagpur. Despite being a regular player in all formats for Team India, Pant has to wait for his turn now to make it into the playing XI. Currently in the playing XI, KL Rahul fills in the wicketkeeping role. Rahul performed brilliantly in the 2023 ODI World Cup, and with Pant unavailable during that tournament, Rahul stepped up as a reliable anchor in the middle order. The selectors and captain have placed their trust in Rahul for this match over Pant.
KL Rahul is the current first-choice wicketkeeper
KL Rahul is currently in tremendous form, having performed well in recent series, including the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Test cricket. Over the past two years, Rahul has been a consistent performer for India in ODIs, bringing a wealth of experience to the team. Consequently, he is believed to be the first-choice wicketkeeper for now. His consistent performances have further solidified his spot in the playing XI.
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Wicketkeeper dilemma for Champions Trophy
The ongoing ODI series suggests that Rishabh Pant might not make the playing XI during the Champions Trophy, despite being named in the squad. The team seems to place more trust in KL Rahul, especially after his strong World Cup performance. As India gears up for the Champions Trophy, the wicketkeeper spot remains a contentious issue. If Rahul’s performance dips, Pant may get his chance to reclaim the position during the Champions Trophy. For now, it remains a delicate situation.
Rohit Sharma on Pant vs Rahul
During a press conference before the first ODI, India’s captain Rohit Sharma shared insights on the wicketkeeping situation. He said, “Look, obviously KL has been keeping wickets for us in the ODI format for a number of years now and he’s done pretty well. You know, if you look at the last 10 or 15 ODIs, he’s done exactly what the team required him to do.”
Rohit also mentioned the options available for the team: “Rishabh is well, you know, he’s there. You know, we’ve got an option of playing either one of them. Both are quite capable of winning games on their own. So it’s a good headache to have whether to play KL or Rishabh.” He emphasised the importance of maintaining continuity in team selection, saying, “But obviously looking at what we have done in the past, having that continuity is also very important for us. So that is where we stand as a team.”
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