Champions Trophy 2025 will start next year. But with that trophy in front of us, the main concern is who will be India's first-choice wicket-keeper batsman? there are four option - KL Rahul, Rishav Pant, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kisan. At the same time, India will play three ODI matches against Sri Lanka from 2nd August. Only KL Rahul and Rishav Pant got a place in that squad.
KL RAHUL:
Kl Rahul was left out of the recently concluded 2024 T20 World Cup squad and was replaced by Sanju Samson and Pant. But based on Rahul's experience in 50-over cricket, it is not at all possible to exclude him from next year's Champions Trophy 2025.
As he has the ability to play in multiple positions in the batting lineup and is quite adept at taking the innings forward in ODI format cricket. This varsetile talent of his will keep him far ahead of others.
KL Rahul is the fourth highest run-scorer for India in ODIs in the last one year. He is fourth only to Suvman Gill, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. However, judging from the average, KL Rahul will be second only to Virat Kohli. Which proves that he can score important runs for the team under pressure.
RISHAV PANT:
On the other hand, Rishav Pant has recovered from the accident a few months ago and started playing cricket. However, he has not yet played any ODI cricket for the national team since the accident. But he played T20 cricket in IPL and T20 world cup 2024. There he proved why he is an important member of the Indian team with his strong performance. Apart from scoring the highest runs for Delhi Capitals in the IPL, he also contributed a lot to India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2024.
He has excelled behind the wicket as a wicket-keeper and his aggressive shots against bowlers prove that he is no less than Rahul in any respect.
But if we compare Rishabh with Rahul as to who is suitable for the Indian team, it becomes very difficult. Some parameters have been mentioned below.
1. Strike Rate:
Pant will be much ahead of Rahul in terms of strike rate. Rishabh is an aggressive batsman. He has the ability to score a lot of runs.
2. Ability to take the innings forward:
Rishabh is an aggressive batsman and as a batsman he is often seen playing bad shots and getting out. Which can take the Indian team to a worse place in difficult situations. But on the other hand, KL Rahul is a cool minded player. He can bring the team to a good place by gradually advancing the innings. He has been doing this for the Indian team for a long time.
3. Right Hand - Left Hand Combination:
Rishabh Pant is an Left handed batsman. If he played at number 4 or 5, the left hand and right hand combination would have put the opposition bowlers under a lot of pressure.
