Jasveer Singh
Not KL Rahul! Sanjay Manjrekar Names Perfect Replacement For Rishabh Pant In Champions Trophy Playing XI
As the cricketing world gears up for the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the debate over India’s ideal wicketkeeper-batsman continues to heat up. With Rishabh Pant making a commendable comeback to international cricket after a long injury layoff, there were expectations that he would seamlessly slot back into the Indian squad. However, former cricketer and renowned analyst Sanjay Manjrekar has stirred the conversation by suggesting an alternative choice, one that does not include KL Rahul as the preferred wicketkeeper-batsman.
The Selection Dilemma: Who Should Be India’s Wicketkeeper?
Rishabh Pant has been a crucial part of India’s white-ball setup, known for his aggressive batting and game-changing abilities. However, his form in ODI cricket has been inconsistent, leading experts like Manjrekar to explore other options. Pant’s recent performances have raised concerns about his ability to anchor the middle order and handle the pressure in crunch situations.
While KL Rahul has been India’s go-to wicketkeeper in ODIs over the past year, his primary role as a batsman has often overshadowed his glovework. Additionally, injuries have plagued Rahul’s career, making him an unreliable option at times. Despite his consistent performances with the bat in the middle order, Manjrekar believes that India needs a specialist wicketkeeper who can also contribute effectively with the bat.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s Ideal Replacement
Manjrekar has identified Sanju Samson as the perfect replacement for Rishabh Pant in India’s playing XI for the Champions Trophy. According to him, Samson brings a balanced mix of wicketkeeping skills and explosive batting, making him an ideal choice for the limited-overs format.
Why Sanju Samson?
- Superior Wicketkeeping Skills: Samson has displayed impressive glovework in domestic and international matches. His agility behind the stumps and ability to handle both pacers and spinners efficiently makes him a reliable option.
- Explosive Batting Ability: Samson has a natural flair for aggressive stroke play. His ability to accelerate the run rate in the middle and death overs provides India with an attacking edge.
- Consistency in Limited-Overs Cricket: Unlike Pant, who has struggled with consistency in ODIs, Samson has shown flashes of brilliance in white-ball cricket, particularly in the IPL, where he has played match-winning knocks under pressure.
- Composure Under Pressure: One of the key attributes that make Samson a strong contender is his ability to stay calm in pressure situations, something India has often lacked in ICC tournaments.
KL Rahul vs. Sanju Samson: Who Fits Better?
While KL Rahul has been a dependable batsman, there are questions over his ability to be a full-time wicketkeeper in high-intensity tournaments like the Champions Trophy. Unlike Rahul, Samson is a natural wicketkeeper who has been keeping wickets regularly in domestic and IPL cricket. This makes him a more suitable choice if India is looking for a long-term solution rather than a stopgap option.
Moreover, with India’s middle order featuring established players like Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Hardik Pandya, Samson’s inclusion as a wicketkeeper-batsman allows for greater flexibility in team composition. Rahul, on the other hand, can focus purely on his batting without the added responsibility of keeping wickets.
What About Ishan Kishan?
Another name that has been thrown into the mix is Ishan Kishan. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman has had an impressive run in white-ball cricket, offering an aggressive approach at the top of the order. However, Kishan’s natural position as an opener makes his inclusion in the middle order a tactical challenge. If India opts for a wicketkeeper who can bat at No. 5 or No. 6, Samson fits the role better than Kishan.
What This Means for Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant’s exclusion from the Champions Trophy squad would be a significant decision. Despite his heroics in Test cricket, his ODI performances have not been as impactful. If he wants to reclaim his place, he will need to prove his worth in the limited opportunities before the tournament.
His fitness is another crucial factor. After his prolonged injury recovery, Pant’s wicketkeeping skills and agility need to be at their best to compete with the likes of Samson and Kishan. Given that India has several wicketkeeping options, the selectors may opt for the one who provides the best balance between batting and keeping abilities.
Manjrekar’s Perspective on Team Selection
Manjrekar has always been vocal about picking players based on form and fitness rather than reputation. His backing of Samson over Pant and Rahul suggests that he values specialists over makeshift options. With the Champions Trophy set to be played in challenging conditions, a specialist wicketkeeper like Samson could make a significant difference.
In a recent discussion, Manjrekar highlighted the importance of having a dependable wicketkeeper in an ICC event: “A specialist wicketkeeper can change the dynamics of the team. Samson has been in good touch, and he provides that stability. KL Rahul has done a fine job, but I still feel India should go with a proper wicketkeeper rather than a part-time option.”
Final Verdict: Will the Selectors Follow Manjrekar’s Advice?
While Manjrekar’s suggestion holds merit, the final decision rests with the Indian selectors. The team management will assess factors such as current form, fitness, and match conditions before finalizing the squad. However, if Samson continues to perform well in the upcoming series and IPL, he could very well find himself in India’s playing XI for the Champions Trophy.
With the competition for the wicketkeeper-batsman role heating up, it remains to be seen whether India will stick with KL Rahul, give Rishabh Pant another chance, or take Manjrekar’s advice and back Sanju Samson for the crucial ICC event. Whatever the decision, it will have a significant impact on India’s chances of lifting the Champions Trophy in 2025.
