KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant? Gautam Gambhir backs this wicket-keeper
What's the story
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has thrown his weight behind KL Rahul as Team India's first-choice wicket-keeper in ODI cricket.
The endorsement comes ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy and after Rahul's stellar performance in a recent match against England.
In Ahmedabad, he scored a quickfire 40 off 29 balls at number five, helping India post a mammoth 356 in 50 overs.
Gambhir indicated that Rishabh Pant might have to wait for his opportunity.
Coach's endorsement
Rahul number one wicket-keeper: Gambhir
Gambhir said, "At the moment, KL is a number one wicket-keeper for us, and he's delivered for us."
He added that with two wicket-keepers in the squad, "you can't play both because of the quality of players you have."
The coach stressed Pant should be ready for his chance when it comes, but Rahul will be starting as wicket-keeper.
Stellar record
Rahul fared well in Pant's absence
Rahul stepped up as India's designated wicket-keeper in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, as Pant was recovering post his car crash.
Since January 2023, the former has scored 1,143 runs in 29 ODI innings at an incredible average of 54.42. His tally includes two centuries and seven half-centuries.
His World Cup campaign started with a match-saving 97* against Australia in Chennai, and he ended up scoring 452 runs from 10 innings at 75.33.
Match-winning performances
Contributions to India's ODI victories
Notably, Rahul has been India's go-to wicket-keeper batter since the 2023 ODI World Cup.
He was instrumental in India's win over Australia with a knock of 97* and hit the fastest century for India in WC history, against the Netherlands.
His glovework was also top-notch, having made the second-most dismissals (17) in the tournament, including 16 catches and one stumping.
Comeback journey
Pant's return to international cricket after injury
Pant, India's mainstay wicketkeeper-batter in Test cricket, has played just one ODI since his return to international cricket (post his car crash).
Despite this, he has featured in a total of 31 ODIs for India so far. He owns 871 runs at an average of 33.50 in those games.
Pant has scored a ton and five half-centuries in ODI cricket.