Former Indian wicket-keeper, Nayan Mongia, MSK Prasad, and Deep Dasguptae explains that Rishabh Pant will feel a bit relieved after the retirement of MS Dhoni, but the immensely talented KL Rahul can be expected to become India’s gloveman in limited-overs cricket in the foreseeable future. All of them feel that now it has become a two-horse race between Rahul and Pant with Sanju Samson adding the third dimension.
During a recent chat with PTI, Mongia said, “KL, I think will be the first choice in 50 overs. Whatever I have seen of KL, he hasn’t been bad behind the stumps, and also once he started keeping, his batting form improved in white-ball cricket. On the form, KL will be my first choice and after that, you can look at Rishabh and give him chances.”
While Dasgupta agreed with Mongia, he feels Team India will prefer to stay flexible on using Rahul and Pant.
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Dasgupta said, “Look, in T20s, I believe both can play in the XI. But given a choice, KL will be my Man for the time at least in T20s. However in 50 over format, maybe team management and selectors can speak to him and see he wants to do it long term till 2023 World Cup and bat at No 5 which is a critical slot in the middle-order.”
Prasad, who recently resigned as chief Indian selectors, also agrees that KL will have a slight edge but Rishabh will be there in the mix.
The former chief selector said, “If you go by New Zealand series, the last one we played, KL starts as first choice and Sanju is also there but as the third choice. He did well and gives that flexibility to play extra batsman or bowler as per conditions. It doesn’t help in getting performances with that pressure. So now, he is free and can express himself in the best possible manner. But yes, he also needs to mature a bit as a player.”
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Mongia, however, feels that there will be pressure Pant as it’ll be a huge boot to fill for both Pant and Rahul, however, it’ll also be an opportunity for someone like Pant to prove his mettle. I am sure that the team management will give him enough chances.
