ICC Champions Trophy 2025: KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant! India’s First-Choice ODI Wicketkeeper Named
The debate between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant for the role of India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman has been settled ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the three-match ODI series against England.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra shared his views on the matter and selected KL Rahul as his preferred choice for the wicketkeeper role in the India ODI squad. This comes after both Rahul and Pant were named in the squad for the England series, with selectors opting to exclude players like Dhruv Jurel, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan.
KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant For Wicketkeeper Spot
Rahul has established himself as India’s first-choice keeper in ODIs, especially after Rishabh Pant was ruled out following his road accident. Rahul had a stellar performance behind the stumps during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, where he also contributed with the bat, scoring 452 runs at an average of 75.33.
On the other hand, Pant, who has played 31 ODIs, has struggled with consistency, managing only 871 runs at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 106.21. Despite his potential, Pant’s ODI record has been underwhelming compared to Rahul, who has scored 2851 runs in 77 ODIs at an impressive average of 49.15.
Aakash Chopra’s Take: KL Rahul Over Rishabh Pant
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra explained that while Pant’s left-handed batting might be appealing, KL Rahul’s consistent performances and overall contribution should not be overlooked. Chopra stated that Rahul has not done anything wrong and deserves the role of India’s first-choice wicketkeeper.
“There are two schools of thought. One is that you have all right-handers, and you might want a left-hander like Rishabh Pant in the squad. But what goes in KL Rahul’s favor is that he has done nothing wrong,” Chopra said. He further emphasized Rahul’s performance under pressure during the ICC World Cup, where he played a crucial role in the match against Australia at Chepauk.
Chopra concluded by saying that continuity is key and Rahul should remain the frontrunner for the wicketkeeper position in the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy 2025.
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