Synopsis
In the lead-up to the ODI series against England, India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed that wicketkeeping duties will remain with KL Rahul, even with Rishabh Pant's return. Rohit expressed confidence in Rahul's performance and highlighted the benefits of having both players available.Key Takeaways
- KL Rahul continues as wicketkeeper despite Rishabh Pant's return.
- Rohit Sharma sees this as a positive dilemma.
- Rahul's strong performance in past ODIs secures his spot.
- Team aims to maintain aggressive play style.
- Varun Chakravarthy included for his unique skills.
Nagpur, Feb 5 (NationPress) Despite the return of Rishabh Pant to the ODI team, K.L Rahul will maintain his role as wicketkeeper in the ODI series against England and likely the Champions Trophy, as clarified by India captain Rohit Sharma.
Rahul has been the designated wicketkeeper for India during the 2023 World Cup due to Rishabh Pant's rehabilitation following a car accident. While Rahul performed admirably in the World Cup, Pant made his comeback in the T20I squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, which India clinched in Barbados.
On Wednesday, Rohit emphasized that Rahul's performance in the ODI format has earned him a spot in the playing eleven for the series against England. He mentioned that Pant's availability provides them with a valuable option, creating a favorable dilemma for him.
"KL has been our wicketkeeper in the ODIs for several years and has consistently performed well. If you assess his last 10 or 15 ODIs, he's executed what the team needed from him," said Rohit.
Rohit continued, "Rishabh is also in contention. We have the flexibility to choose between them, as both possess the ability to secure victories independently. It’s a nice dilemma to decide between KL or Rishabh. However, maintaining continuity is crucial for our team’s success."
Discussing the upcoming ODI series against England, starting with the first match at the VCA Stadium, Rohit acknowledged the team’s limited ODI matches last year but committed to an aggressive playing style.
"We aim to play a specific brand of cricket, similar to our World Cup strategy. However, the World Cup was a year and a half ago, so we need to regroup and strategize for our current situation. Our experienced squad understands their roles without needing constant reminders," said Rohit.
He also elaborated on the inclusion of leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy in the ODI lineup, despite having Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel already in the squad.
"He has displayed unique skills. Although it’s in T20, he brings something different to the table. We want to explore this option during the series to assess his capabilities," Rohit stated.
When asked if Chakravarthy is being considered for the Champions Trophy, Rohit said they are not currently focused on that but acknowledged he would be in contention if he performs well.
"As of now, we're not making decisions regarding him for the Champions Trophy, but he will definitely be in the mix if things go well for him," Rohit added.
Rohit declined to discuss potential replacements for a fast-bowling all-rounder in case Hardik Pandya faces another injury like he did in the 2023 World Cup. "Why think of negative scenarios? Let’s focus on positive outcomes," Rohit said. "Let’s hope every player stays 100% fit and healthy," he concluded.
