KL Rahul Will Always Be Backed By Indian Team Management Over Rishabh Pant In ODIs

KL Rahul was chosen over Rishabh Pant when Rohit Sharma revealed the Indian playing XI for the first ODI against England in Nagpur on February 6.

India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and captain, Rohit Sharma, will look to decide the wicketkeeper-batter for the forthcoming Champions Trophy based on their performances in the three-match ODI against England.

Rahul played the 1st ODI vs England

KL Rahul had kept wickets in ODIs throughout the World Cup year in 2023 after Rishabh Pant was ruled out due to injuries he suffered in a car accident. Rahul even kept in Test cricket in South Africa and at home as well, before Rishabh Pant returned to take the reins.

However, when it comes to ODIs, KL Rahul is still preferred over Rishabh Pant, given the valuable batting the Karnataka lad brings to the Indian middle order. He scored 386 runs in nine innings at an average of 77.20 while striking at 98.72 in the World Cup 2023 and took 15 catches.

KL Rahul will always be picked over Rishabh Pant as wicketkeeper: Report

He had begun keeping wickets for India in the Asia Cup 2023 to prep for the World Cup, and Indian captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir seemingly didn’t want to disturb the combination.

While he kept well, Rahul, who was selected as the wicketkeeper-batter ahead of Rishabh Pant, scored only 2 runs from 9 balls.

Rishabh Pant has played 31 ODIs, scoring 871 runs with one century and 5 fifties at an average of 33.50. He has 27 catches and 1 stumping in ODIs.

Rahul's place sealed

As per journalist Abhishek Tripathi, Rahul will always get a place in the Indian middle order over Rishabh Pant and even Shreyas Iyer. He even said that Rahul was the preferred choice of the captain and the coach.

“No need to go into performance; any given day KL Rahul will get a place over Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer. The choice of captain and coach will get a place,” Tripathi said on YouTube.

Abhishek Tripathi, Sr. Journalist:
"No need to go into performance, any given day KL Rahul will get a place over Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer. The choice of Captain and Coach will get a place."

~ KL RAHUL was given a chance over Pant but he again failed to score. pic.twitter.com/b1fxw8rKGT

— The Analyzer (News Updates🗞️) (@Indian_Analyzer) February 7, 2025

Even Shreyas Iyer only played in the Nagpur ODI because Virat Kohli suffered a knee injury. This was revealed by the batter himself in an after-match chat with Star Sports. He revealed he was planning for a movie night and was told only late in the evening that he would play because Kohli had a swollen knee.

Also Read: Virat Kohli Doubtful For Champions Trophy 2025? India Sweats Over Veteran’s Fitness