Courtesy: Google/BCCI
As the three-match ODI series between India and England is currently underway, former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar feels that KL Rahul should be the first choice for wicket-keeping over Rishabh Pant. India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and captain, Rohit Sharma, both will decide the first choice wicket-keeper batter for the forthcoming Champions Trophy based on their performances in the three-match ODI against England. Bangar believes Rahul has done well in batting and keeping, and it is going to be a good strategy to give him the lead to stay behind the stumps.
During the virtual interaction with the media, Bangar said to IANS that he believes player who performed well should get the position first. “My take is the player who has performed in that particular position should get the first look in. If you cast your mind back to the way KL Rahul has performed not only as a batsman but also as a wicketkeeper, some of the catches and the way he kept in the World Cup was simply fabulous. So, Rishabh Pant, no doubt, is a very, very exciting talent. But currently, I believe that the team would start with KL in the starting line-up based on the performances that he’s given in the middle overs to the Indian team, as well as in his exploits as a wicketkeeper," he said.
KL Rahul played a crucial role as primary keeper-batter during Rishabh Pant's absence- Sanjay Bangar
While Rishabh Pant was recovering from the car-crash that happened in late 2022, KL Rahul became the primary keeper-batter in ODIs. He also proved that he is reliable to be in middle-order and keeper too. Moreover, Rahul batted as a keeper in the first two matches of the 2-0 ODI series against Sri Lanka in August 2024, scoring 31 and 0. Meanwhile, Pant scored six runs in this comeback ODI match in the same series. If India continues to stick with Rahul, they will have no left-handed batters in their top six. Pant's inclusion in the lineup will provide India with the batting order variation it requires.
Bangar also feels that playing both players in the same eleven isn't a feasible idea. “I don’t think both can play in the single line-up. Generally because the makeup of the team is right-hand dominant, at least in the top six, and we’ve seen in the past how Jadeja has been used in the batting at four or five according to the needs and situation of the game," he said. The ongoing ODI series is important for all the star cricketers including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to bring back their form, ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
