Rahul vs Kishan: Who might be India’s first-choice keeper?
On Tuesday, India announced their 15-member World Cup squad that was largely on comparable traces because the one they picked for the continuing Asia Cup. The composition did, nonetheless, elicit just a few speaking factors.
Kishan v Rahul: Who will win the race?
It’s a large present of confidence from the selectors and crew administration to select KL Rahul regardless of him having not performed a aggressive recreation since May. But this religion maybe stems from understanding India have presumably 4 – in the event that they make the ultimate – Asia Cup video games adopted three ODIs in opposition to Australia to present him a good run of video games to check his readiness.
As such, groups have a provision to alter their squad with out ICC’s clearance till September 28, by when the ODIs in opposition to Australia would’ve ended.
Rahul’s utility as a wicketkeeper-batter within the center order first took form in January 2020 after Rishabh Pant was concussed. Rahul responded with a 52-ball 80 at No. 5 in India’s series-levelling win over Australia in Rajkot. After that collection, Kohli was unequivocal in his assist for Rahul and the necessity to give him extra alternatives, each with the gloves and within the center order earlier than being judged.
Kohli is now not India’s captain, however Rahul continues to take pleasure in that assist even from the present crew administration. Since January 2020, in 17 innings at No. 5, Rahul averages 56.53 and strikes at 99.45 with seven half-centuries and 100. However, the highway again to No. 5 will not be easy.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, too, did not fairly reveal who the first-choice wicketkeeper might be. That’s as a result of Ishan Kishan, the incumbent, has enhanced his credentials in current occasions. Kishan not solely brings within the left-handed factor India’s high order at present lacks, particularly with Tilak Varma out, however he has additionally proven versatility in batting wherever because the crew requires him to.
Opening the batting, he struck the fastest ODI double-ton in Bangladesh in December final 12 months. More lately, he is on a run of 4 consecutive half-centuries (three within the West Indies and one within the Asia Cup opener in opposition to Pakistan). The innings against Pakistan was significantly spectacular because it was a rearguard effort underneath stress at No. 5, a place he’d by no means batted in earlier. His 81-ball 82 in a century stand with Hardik Pandya lifted India from the depths of 66 for 4 in opposition to one of many world’s greatest limited-overs assaults at present.
“It’s a good headache to have,” Agarkar mentioned on Tuesday after asserting India’s World Cup squad. “Ishan played a lovely innings [against Pakistan]. He generally opens but you’d rather have that headache [over who the first-choice wicketkeeper will be] to deal with than not have it. When he comes [KL Rahul] there will be a conversation, but at least you have two options. The captain-coach will sit down and decide what’s best for the team on a given day. We’re happy to have two options who will fight for a place in the team than the other way round.”
Suryakumar pips Tilak
With Shreyas Iyer set to get sufficient recreation time at No. 4, India may’ve opted for one among Kishan or Rahul to additionally double up because the reserve batter too. This would’ve freed up a slot to select a real offspinner, which Agarkar acknowledged could make a distinction, or possibly even an additional seamer, like Prasidh Krishna.
However, the selectors have opted for some batting insurance coverage by selecting Suryakumar Yadav – extra on expertise than current kind. As such, Suryakumar’s ODI numbers are middling. It’s one thing he himself touched upon as “not good enough” lately. Suryakumar has been a part of India’s ODI set-up for over a 12 months now, and averages within the mid-20s throughout 24 innings. In comparability, Tilak, who’s a part of the Asia Cup squad, is uncapped within the format and is simply a handful of video games outdated in worldwide cricket.
Can Axar and Jadeja characteristic in the identical XI?
Axar Patel made his debut in 2014 and has performed 52 ODIs until date. Out of those, solely eight have featured each him and Ravindra Jadeja in the identical XI. This is basically right down to each being left-arm spinning allrounders who’re seen as rivals for one spot within the XI.
At this World Cup, there’s little doubt that Jadeja is an automated shoo-in because the spin-bowling allrounder, probably at No. 7. But as a result of India need batting depth past No. 7 – a degree Rohit appeared to emphasize on – there is a real looking risk of India having Jadeja atNo.7 and one among Axar or Shardul Thakur at No.8 primarily based on circumstances, along with Kuldeep Yadav because the frontline wristspinner.
“It’s both, we’ve looked at bowling and batting depth,” Rohit defined when requested of balancing their XI. “We need to create [batting] depth. That’s what we found was lacking in the team for the last few years. We wanted to make sure we get the batting depth somehow. When you talk of depth, No. 8 and No. 9 becomes crucial.
“We noticed within the first recreation right here on the Asia Cup additionally, the place we have been slightly brief [India finished with 266 despite looking good for more] with the bat within the again finish. It tells you ways necessary your 8-9-10-11 are, their job isn’t just to come back and bowl but in addition contribute with the bat. We ended getting 265 [266]; one other 10-15 runs had we performed the whole 50 overs [India were bowled out in 48.5] may’ve been the distinction between a successful and dropping margin.
“We’ve spoken to the boys how important their role is going to be, how they need to put their hands up to do a job with the bat as well. We understand the importance of getting the combinations right. Sometimes when you’re trying to fix something you will miss out on something that’s not broken as well. We just have to try and use resources available as best as I can.”
Shashank Kishore is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo