(Source X)
KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and Rishabh Pant have all been named in both the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
Rahul, who was absent from India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign, returns to the ODI setup alongside Pant. His exclusion from the T20 squad has sparked discussions about his future in the shortest format.
On the other hand, Pant continues to prove himself across all formats, making a notable comeback in the IPL and securing a spot in the T20 World Cup squad.
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson has been primarily used as a backup wicketkeeper, stepping in when needed. He recently showcased his batting prowess with a half-century in the T20 series against Zimbabwe, following a century in the ODI series against South Africa before being dropped.
The future outlook for Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Sanju Samson in Indian cricket.
Managing the trio of keeper-batters poses a significant challenge for Gautam Gambhir moving forward. Observing how he strategizes their roles across different formats promises to be intriguing.
Ajit Agarkar, the Chief Selector, disclosed the rationale for selecting KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant in the ODI squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka series.
“Rishabh has been out for a long time. So, we want to bring him back without burdening him. Someone who has come back after a long time, you need to bring them back in the scheme of things gradually. KL, one of the feedbacks he has got is ‘you’ve got to hit the reset button” said Agarkar.
Rahul showcased his batting prowess during the last ODI World Cup, amassing 452 runs in 10 innings while batting at No. 5, a position he adapted to after having been a regular opener for India across formats. His innings included a century and two fifties, demonstrating his versatility in the middle order.
However, Rahul faced several injury setbacks between 2021 and 2022, impacting his consistency. His last ODI appearance was during the series against South Africa, where he not only played but also captained the team. Unfortunately, he sustained quadriceps and knee injuries, which sidelined him for the remainder of the series. With his return to the ODI squad, he now faces competition from Pant for the specialist keeper-batter role.
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson, despite scoring a century in his last ODI series against South Africa, reportedly finds himself excluded from the Indian ODI squad due to Rahul’s comeback.
The selection for the Sri Lanka series indicates that Gautam Gambhir and the management are exploring various options and rotating players across different formats. Pant appears to be the preferred choice as India’s primary keeper-batter across all formats, with Rahul and Samson also figuring in the management’s plans.
