Ever since, former Indian skipper, MS Dhoni has been on a sabbatical from competitive cricket, who will fill the shoes of one of the best wicket-keepers? – is one of the most talked-about topics in the Indian cricket fraternity before him announcing his retirement from international cricket in August. Dhoni was the man behind the stumps for the Indian team ever since he made his debut in 2004.
The selectors had no worries regarding the wicketkeeper’s role when Dhoni was active in international cricket. But the selection panel will be having a huge headache of finding the right replacement for India’s most decorated wicketkeeper. Following Dhoni’s sabbatical, India went for Rishabh Pant behind the stumps across the formats last year.
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But within a year, Pant lost his place in the playing XI across all three formats. At present, he has also been excluded from the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming series in Australia. KL Rahul is now the designated wicketkeeper in the limited-overs format while Sanju Samson is the backup. In Tests, the team-management had picked Pant and Wriddhiman Saha on the basis of conditions.
It will be interesting to see who will keep the wickets in the upcoming Tests Down Under. Saha kept wickets during the home season last year. On the other hand, Pant found a place in the playing XI for the away series to New Zealand. But given Pant’s poor display in IPL 2020 and Saha being in good form, Team India could recall the veteran to the playing XI for the crucial series.
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly recently commented on the matter as well by terming Pant and Saha as two best wicket-keepers in the country. Ganguly then went on to defend Pant for his poor show in this year’s IPL where he looked a pale shadow of his usual self. Known for his big-hitting, Pant finished the tournament with a strike-rate of less than 120.
As per the quotes in Hindustan Times, Sourav Ganguly explained, “He (Pant) and Wriddhiman Saha are our two best wicketkeeper-batsmen in the country. Don’t worry. His bat swing will come back. He is a young guy and all of us need to guide him. He’s got tremendous talent. Rishabh will be fine.”
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Ganguly was then asked the main question regarding the player who should be the gloveman in Australia. In reply, Ganguly played with a straight bat and said that the player with better form will be preferred.
