India will shift their focus to the ODI format to prepare for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The national selectors are expected to keep the core of the 2023 ODI World Cup team to try to win the upcoming ICC title. However, the comeback of Rishabh Pant will kick-start the competition for places and it will surely impact captain and coach. Pant played the 2024 T20 World Cup after missing international cricket for 15 months. In his absence, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan were given wicket-keeping responsibilities but the latter has fallen out of favour. Pant will now have a competition with Rahul in the race for the first-choice wicketkeeper batter.
Rahul has been consistent in the 50-over format. He scored 452 runs in the 2023 World Cup and the right-handed batter is likely to play head of the southpaw.
Pant also batted well in the T20 World Cup, scoring 171 runs.
Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa said that it is going to be tough for new head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma to choose between KL and Rishabh.
“Both have been sensational for India. Their numbers have been good. Pant was impressive in the T20 World Cup. Rahul’s numbers in one-day internationals are incredible. It is going to be a tough choice for Rohit and Gambhir to pick one between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant,” Robin Uthappa said on Sony Sports.
Uthappa further added that whoever gets the chance should grab it.
“We don’t know who is going to play for India. It is important for players to perform consistently. So wishing them the best of luck and I hope the best man wins,” he concluded.
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