India’s white-ball squad boasts incredible batting depth, making it a challenge for even top-tier players to find a spot in the playing XI. One such case is that of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who has been on the sidelines despite his proven talent, last playing an ODI in August 2024.
The Indian team management has opted for KL Rahul as their preferred wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs, even though he isn’t a specialist behind the stumps. This was evident in the recent home series against England and the ongoing Champions Trophy. While Pant’s omission may seem harsh, legendary captain Sourav Ganguly believes it is Rahul’s “fantastic numbers” that have earned him the backing of head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Pant’s ODI record includes 871 runs in 31 matches at an average of 33.50, with a century and five half-centuries. Additionally, he has 28 dismissals (27 catches and one stumping) to his name. In contrast, Rahul has amassed 2944 runs in 81 ODIs at an impressive average of 48.26, scoring seven centuries and 18 fifties while accounting for 65 dismissals as a wicketkeeper.
Acknowledging the talent of both players, Ganguly remarked that there’s little to separate them, as both are exceptional. He also highlighted India’s formidable batting strength, which was evident during their Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh, where they comfortably chased 229 despite a brief setback. With such depth, India’s selection dilemmas are a testament to their abundant talent pool.
