Rishabh Pant Vs KL Rahul: Who Will Keep Wickets In England ODIs, Champions Trophy

Aakash Saini

Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul [Source: @ICC/x]Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul [Source: @ICC/x]

Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul have both been selected in India’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against England. Yet to play a single ODI match since India’s August 2024 trip to Sri Lanka, the England series will serve as an ideal prelude for both cricketers ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy later this month.

As Team India braces itself for a hectic ODI season, we analyze the ideal pick as primary wicketkeeper-batters for the Indian playing XI between Pant and Rahul.

Rishabh Pant vs KL Rahul (records at number 4, 5)

Both Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul provide formidable batting options to the Indian team in the middle-order. Rahul, however, has also proven his worth as an ideal option at the top of the order for the ‘Men in Blue’. Since India’s opening combination seems to be settled with captain Rohit Sharma and young Shubman Gill, either Pant or Rahul will have to bear the responsibility of commanding the Indian middle-order in their upcoming matches, with the other likely to be benched.

While batting at number four and number five positions, Rahul holds a commanding track record over his younger wicketkeeping companion. Here we compare the batting records of both cricketers while batting at either number four or number five positions in ODI cricket.

Player
Runs
Innings
Average
50s/100s
Rishabh Pant808 24 35.135/1
KL Rahul1,817 43 56.7812/4

KL Rahul Vs Rishabh Pant (record as wicket-keepers)

KL Rahul also holds statistical advantage over Rishabh Pant while playing for Team India as a wicketkeeper. Here is a look at the batting stats of both cricketers while playing as wicketkeeper-batters in ODIs.

Player
Runs
Innings
Average
50s/100s
Rishabh Pant714 21 35.705/1
KL Rahul1,38634 55.4410/2

Conclusion

Judging by the track record of both star Indian players, one can expect the Indian team management to opt KL Rahul’s experience as the ‘Men in Blue’ head into the ICC’s familiar big event territory. However, Rishabh Pant and the ‘X-factor’ he brings to the table might prompt the management to go into the battlefield with the 27-year-old.