Will India rotate wicketkeepers? Rahul sheds light on Pant rivalry

Dubai: In cricket, few positions are as unforgiving as the wicketkeeper’s. KL Rahul knows it well — every catch he takes, every fumble he avoids, there’s Rishabh Pant waiting in the wings. The competition is fierce, but Rahul insists there’s no rivalry — only respect.

A team game can sometimes teach brutal lessons, even to the best. The composition of the team and its requirements often mean tough choices must be made, leaving out even talented players — especially when the role is limited to just one person. Goalkeepers and wicketkeepers fall into this category, a specialist, thankless job that can keep a player on the bench for long periods.

During Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s career, many talented wicketkeepers never got their chance to break into the team. Only the best get the opportunity.

Now, at least three wicketkeepers could walk into the team purely as specialist batters — Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Sanju Samson. Interestingly, each has cemented their place in different formats, and the close competition will bring out the best in them, as any slip-up could cost them their place. Healthy competition is crucial for getting the best out of a sportsperson.

Pant has been warming the bench in the last five One-Day Internationals for India — during the England series and the two Champions Trophy matches.

“There is very little margin for error, I won’t lie,” Rahul told the media on Friday. “Rishabh is a very talented player, and he has shown how quickly he can change the game with his aggression. There is always a temptation for the team management to either play him or me.”

“I am not trying to compete with Rishabh, and the same goes for him. He will stick to his game, and I will play mine. Each one’s skill sets are different.”

But coach Gautam Gambhir has made Rahul the first choice in ODIs, which will allow him to focus on his game without worrying about his position in the team.

With India and New Zealand already securing their semi-final spots, will the team bring in Pant and make some changes? Will Rohit Sharma or Mohammed Shami be rested?

“Luckily, I am not in the leadership group to have to make that decision. We have tried out a few players when we get the opportunity, but I don’t know if that will happen in a Champions Trophy and in tomorrow’s game. We only have a one-day break before the semi-finals, so we want all the players to spend time in the middle,” the 32-year-old said.

“Fitness-wise, everything seems pretty OK. There are no real concerns about anyone missing, as far as I know. Everyone has been at the gym; everyone has been in training.”

India’s batting coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, also believes there may not be too many changes as the priority is the semi-finals, especially since the Men in Blue will be playing after a six-day gap. He also mentioned that skipper Rohit Sharma’s hamstring strain is something he has been managing well.

“The players have had a few days off, and we don’t want to rest them for another two days. So to get that balance, we might try to share the bowling a bit,” said the former Dutch cricketer. “We want to win against New Zealand, and it is important to keep momentum going and top the group. So it is a balance of those two things I just mentioned for the selection to be thought about.”

Going by ten Doeschate’s words, India might be tempted to rest ace pacer Mohammed Shami, who has just returned from knee surgery and was troubled by a niggle during the Pakistan game. Young left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh could get some much-needed match time, while mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who has played only one ODI, might get a chance to showcase his mettle against New Zealand.

Whether Pant plays is a decision the team management may not be inclined to make if it risks altering the team balance. Rahul may have the gloves for now, but in India’s high-stakes Champions Trophy campaign, even a slight slip could reopen the door for Pant.