There is a lot of speculation around, what players should Team India go with for the IND vs ENG limited-overs series, and then the Champions Trophy. Of course, there are a few certainties, but then, there are a few who might just make the cut, or just miss out. Actually, one of the major talking points is around the wicket-keeper choices among KL Rahul, Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant.
KL Rahul Fixed for Champions Trophy
All are good enough to make it to the ODI team, but then only two would, and one would have to sit out. Former India batting coach, while speaking on Star Sports show Follow the Blues, gave his opinion on the same. He went on to even reveal that the No. 4 and No. 5 batters are fixed for Team India.
“For me, Tilak Varma may not find a place in this 50-over team. He is a certainty in the T20 format. Shreyas Iyer has not done anything wrong. He has had a phenomenal World Cup in the 50-over format. Whatever domestic cricket he has played, he has been on fire,” he said. “So he is your automatic No. 4 choice, and KL Rahul, because as a wicketkeeper-batter, the way he kept wickets and got important runs whenever needed. So KL Rahul will be my No. 5,” Bangar added.
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Sanju Samson Over Rishabh Pant
Bangar came up with a sound reasoning, as to why Sanju Samson makes more sense over Rishabh Pant. “I think, as a backup, you have to give that place to Sanju Samson because he averages above 50 in ODI cricket. Add to that, he is a man in form as well,” he said.
“So if at all there has to be a backup wicketkeeper-batter, it has to be Sanju Samson. Yes, Rishabh Pant has started playing the T20 and the Test formats but this is a format where he will have to wait for his time,” Bangar observed.
