The general consensus is that KL Rahul is to be selected over Rishabh Pant in the ICC Champions Trophy. And now pundits and former India cricketers too have chimed on the same. Sanjay Manjrekar and Sanjay Bangar have opted to drop Rishabh Pant from their 15-member squad. KL Rahul has been opted as the main keeper in the team with Sanju Samson serving as the backup choice.
More than a month remains before the start of the ICC Champions Trophy. But barely a couple of days remain for the BCCI to announce the squad for the mega tournament. But as things stand, even the pundits are in favor of keeping KL Rahul as the number 1 keeper for the ICC tournament.
KL Rahul over Rishabh Pant in ICT
Ever since his return to cricket, Rishabh Pant has played just 1 ODI match. It came in the series against Sri Lanka where he managed to score 6 runs. While Pant is obviously the number 1 choice as a keeper in both Tests and T20Is, things are different in the 50-over format.
According to Sanjay Bangar and Sanjay Manjrekar, the duo have even kept Sanju Samson ahead of Pant in India’s 15-member squad. The duo have apparently entirely dropped Rishabh Pant from their 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy.
“Pant was away from cricket for a long time. He did make a good return in T20Is and Test, but he never had that good form in ODI cricket. KL Rahul should be your first-choice keeper,” Sanjay Bangar spoke on Star Sports
Will Sanju Samson make it to India’s squad?
Sanju Samson has been fairly good in ODIs in his recent outings. But as per reports, it looks like he won’t make it to the squad for the ICC tournament. It is believed that Rishabh Pant might be kept as the backup option in the team for the keeper’s spot.
“I have been a good believer in Samson. Yes he wasn’t scoring runs initially and maybe he isn’t a fit down the order. But if India want a big hitter for the last 10 overs, and I agree with Sanjay Bangar on Pant,” said Manjrekar.
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