No replacement for Rishabh Pant: India audition 5 WKs across formats, KL Rahul latest in Test

Team India’s long search for wicketkeeper-batter ended with MS Dhoni and after he retired, it was Rishabh Pant. But as things stand, the position is once again up for grabs with Pant still recovering from his near-fatal car crash and subsequent ligament injuries. Having tried five wicketkeepers across formats, India Cricket Team have finally zeroed in on KL Rahul as a long-term yet stop-gap solution in Test cricket. Rahul will make his wicketkeeping debut in Test in the IND vs SA 1st Test on Dec 26.

While Rishabh Pant remains irreplaceable, KL Rahul’s wicketkeeping skills offer a cushion not only to the batter himself but also to the Indian team management. They have experimented with the wicketkeeper’s slot a lot in the last one year with five wicketkeepers getting a chance to impress.

KS Bharat, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan. Jitesh Sharma and KL Rahul have all kept wickets for India in the past one year. However, barring KL Rahul, it can’t be said that any one them has grabbed the opportunity to cement their place in the Indian team with both hands.

KS Bharat

With no Wriddhiman Saha in the picture, KS Bharat got the nod to debut in the Test series against Australia in February. However, the wicketkeeper batter could not make the opportunity count. Although Bharat was considered a safe wicketkeeper, his poor outing with the bat cost him his place soon enough.

Even though he will be in IND vs SA Test series, KL Rahul will be the first-choice wicketkeeper.

Format	Mat	Catches	Stump
Test	5	12	1

Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan has been in and out of the Indian team for the past one year. He has played in only two Tests till now, and has not been very impressive. He has been a more constant figure in the ODI and T20Is for India, but has had to field with KL Rahul keeping wickets.

Format	Mat	Catches	Stump
Test	2	5	0
ODI	27	10	2
T20I	32	9	3

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson has been a case of too near yet too far. The talented wicketkeeper-batter from Kerala have pushed the boundaries of the Indian team long enough, but has been far from consistent to earn a permanent place. He received some Indian team call ups but have largely been kept out of the equation by the likes of KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan. However, the batter scored his maiden ODI century in the IND vs SA 3rd ODI, and will hope he gets more chances in the coming days.

Format	Mat	Catches	Stump
ODI	16	8	2
T20I	24	5	3

Jitesh Sharma

Jitesh Sharma got his maiden call-up in the second string Indian team for the Asian games 2023. After impressing with his aggressive batting, he was selected for the T20I series against Australia and South Africa respectively. However, Jitesh seems to be the farthest down the pecking order at the moment. He played two of the three IND vs SA T20Is, but could not have a meaningful impact, scoring 1 and 4 in those matches.

Format	Mat	Catches	Stump
T20I	7	3	0

KL Rahul

KL Rahul has been the first choice wicketkeeper for the Indian team management in Rishabh Pant’s absence whenever he has been fit. Rahul recently led India to a win in the IND vs SA ODI series. The right-handed batter kept wickets all throughout the tournament in spite of the presence of Sanju Samson, indicating the Indian team management is keeping their faith on KL Rahul behind the wickets.