Sourav Ganguly names two current best wicketkeeper-batsmen of India

‘Who should replace MS Dhoni behind the stumps for Team India?’ – This is one of the most talked-about topics in the Indian cricket fraternity ever since the former skipper took a sabbatical from the game last year before announcing his retirement from international cricket in August. Dhoni was the man behind the stumps for the national team ever since he made his debut in 2004.

The selectors had to hardly think about the wicketkeeper’s role when Dhoni was active in international cricket. But the selection panel now faces an upheaval task in finding the right replacement for India’s most decorated wicketkeeper. Following Dhoni’s sabbatical, India tried out Rishabh Pant behind the stumps across the formats last year.

But within a year, he lost his place in the playing eleven across all three formats. At present, he is not even a part of the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming series in Australia. KL Rahul is now the designated wicketkeeper in the limited-overs format while Sanju Samson is the backup. In Tests, the team-management picks Pant and Wriddhiman Saha on the basis of conditions.

Saha and Pant best wicketkeeper-batsmen in the country: Sourav Ganguly

It will be interesting to see who will keep the wickets in the upcoming Tests Down Under. Saha was the man behind the stumps during the home season last year. On the other hand, Pant found a place in the playing eleven for the away series to New Zealand. But given Pant’s poor display in IPL 2020 and Saha being in good form, Indian team-management could recall the veteran to the playing eleven for the crucial series.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly recently commented on the matter too. The former India skipper started by calling Pant and Saha as two best wicketkeeper-batsmen in the country. Sourav Ganguly then went on to defend Pant for his poor show in this year’s IPL where he looked a pale shadow of his usual self. Known for his big hitting, Pant finished the tournament with a strike-rate of less than 120.

“He (Pant) and Wriddhiman Saha are our two best wicketkeeper-batsmen in the country,” Sourav Ganguly was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

“Don’t worry. His bat swing will come back. He is a young guy and all of us need to guide him. He’s got tremendous talent. Rishabh will be fine,” added the BCCI boss.

He was then asked the main question regarding the man who should keep the wickets in Australia. In reply, Ganguly played with a straight bat and said that the player with better form will be preferred.

“Only one can play, so whoever is in best form will play,” Ganguly said.