Ishan, Jitesh, Sanju, Rahul or Pant? Who will lag the stumps in the T20 World Cup
BENGALURU: Since MS Dhoni’s retirement in 2019, the Indian wicketkeeper’s slot has actually been a video game of musical chairs. Because Jan in 2015, India have actually mainly attempted 3 guys behind the stumps–
Jitesh Sharma
Sanju Samson
and
Ishan Kishan
in T20Is. With the T20 World Cup set up in June, the race for the wicketkeeper’s slot is collecting momentum.
In the last 12 months, Ishan Kishan has actually figured in the most T20Is– 11 matches– while both Samson (9) and Jitesh (9) have actually been offered chances to display their abilities with the bat and behind the stumps.
Because Nov, the group management has actually revealed more faith in Jitesh, who has actually likewise been India’s very first option in the last 2 series versus South Africa and Afghanistan. With the bat, Jitesh’s finest has actually been a 19-ball 35 versus Australia in the 4th T20I last month.
IN THE FRAY: Jitesh Sharma’s (left) stocks have actually increased as a wicketkeeper who is likewise efficient in belting a couple of in the lower middle order
Ishan has actually been mainly attempted at the top of the order and the southpaw provided with 2 half-centuries versus Australia in November. With the return of
Rohit Sharma
and
Virat Kohli
in the T20I fold, slotting Ishan in the leading order looks hard. In contrast, Sanju and Jitesh have actually included in the middle-order, with the latter being utilized more as a finisher.
India head coach
Rahul Dravid
enjoys with the choices in hand and even consisted of
KL Rahul
and
Rishabh Pant
‘s competitors. The latter is recuperating at the NCA here after suffering a dreadful mishap in late 2022.
“We have a couple of wicketkeeping choices. All of them remain in the mix. We have actually seen Sanju and Jitesh (in the India-Afghanistan series). We likewise have Rahul, Kishan and Rishabh. We simply require to see how it works out in the next couple of months and take a get in touch with what is the very best method forward,” stated Dravid at the post-match conference after India’s series win versus Afghanistan.
Dravid’s focus on “next couple of months” makes it apparent that the efficiency of these gamers in the IPL will be carefully kept an eye on by the group management before making their last get in touch with the wicketkeeper.
If Pant plays in the IPL, the focus will likewise be on his physical fitness as he has actually not played competitive cricket considering that Dec 2022.
BEYOND WICKETKEEPERS
With India not playing any T20Is before heading to the United States and Caribbean, the IPL will play a crucial function in figuring out the group structure for the World Cup. It is not just about wicketkeepers. The similarity Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma too will be carefully enjoyed.
“It’s good to see that there are some alternatives (ahead of the T20 World Cup) who have actually put their hand up, and definitely revealed that they’ve got abilities to deal with.”
(There are) some locations that we may require some resolving in, and we were considering it. Regrettably, we truly will not have much cricket as a group any longer. We will undoubtedly have the IPL and everybody will be viewing carefully to see how a few of those guys play and what are the slots we require to fill out the group,” Dravid stated.