KL Rahul has performed not only as a batsman but also as a wicketkeeper: Sanjay Bangar
"KL Rahul has performed not only as a batsman but also as a wicketkeeper. Some of the catches and the way he kept in the (2023) World Cup was simply fabulous," Bangar said.
There is still a lot of talk going around the Indian squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan. There have been some interesting inclusions in the squad which have surprised some people and some experts have given their opinion on the players who have been selected for the ICC event.
One of the biggest debates is on who will be the first-choice wicketkeeper for the side with options of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul in the mix. Both these players will most likely make up the middle order and have proven themselves with some great performances in international cricket. Former India coach and commentator Sanjay Bangar has also given his opinion and picked KL Rahul as the first-choice wicketkeeper while also talking about how he has played in the middle overs and kept matches alive for the team.
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“If you cast your mind back to the way KL Rahul has performed not only as a batsman but also as a wicketkeeper. Some of the catches and the way he kept in the (2023) World Cup was simply fabulous," Bangar said while speaking to Star Sports.
“Rishabh Pant, no doubt, is a very, very exciting talent. But currently, I believe that the team would start with KL in the lineup based on the performances that he's given in the middle overs as well as his exploits as a wicketkeeper," Bangar added.
Pant and Rahul ODI performance comparison
There is no doubt that both Rahul and Pant are among the most talented players in the game but in the One-day format, it is Rahul who has got the edge over Rishabh Pant who has not had the best of time in 50-over cricket. Rahul has played 77 ODI matches and has scored 2851 runs at an average of 49.15.
On the other hand, Pant has not been as consistent in the format as he has been in Test cricket where in the 31 games, he has only managed to score 871 runs at an average of 33.50. The last ODI game he played was against Sri Lanka where he scored only six runs.
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