Το KL Rahul όχι μόνο διαθέτει το καλύτερο ρεκόρ στο ODI από το Pant, αλλά έχει επίσης περισσότερη εμπειρία στο παιχνίδι στην 50η μορφή σε σύγκριση με το Southpaw
India cricket team faces a massive selection headache when it comes to naming their XI for ODIs – in the form of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. Both stars, who are keeper-batters, warrant for a spot in the side. However, having Pant in the XI would mean either KL will have to sit out or the side facing the risk of going with lesser bowling options. Going by the stats, Rahul should certainly be in the playing XI for ODIs while Pant should warm the bench.
KL Rahul > Pant in ODIs, without doubt
When it comes to the 50-over format, Rahul has a much better record in comparison with Pant. The former has 2851 runs from 77 ODIs while the latter has played just 31 games and amassed 871 runs. It is pertinent to point out that Rahul has had more experience playing ODIs in the recent past. He was India’s first-choice keeper-batter in the ODI World Cup 2023 and performed rather splendidly with both bat and gloves in the absence of Pant. There is no better batter for India at the number 5 position than Rahul, with the star having 1259 runs from 30 innings while playing at that position.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
| KL Rahul | 77 | 2851 | 49.15 | 87.56 |
| Rishabh Pant | 31 | 871 | 33.50 | 106.21 |
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Pant missed the 2023 ODI World Cup after suffering a horrific car crash towards the end of 2022. As a result, India had to turn to KL Rahul to keep wickets for the side in the marquee event and he did not disappoint. His performances in the event proves that he is more capable than Pant – both in terms of batting and keeping wickets – and warrants for a place in the playing XI instead of the southpaw.
Secondly, Pant’s inclusion in the playing XI along with KL Rahul in the side is near impossible. It would mean India will be entering a contest with too many batters and lack of bowling options. With the southpaw benched, India have the option of fielding an all-rounder or a specialist spinner – both of which are in dire need given the conditions in which India will play their next few ODIs in. The exclusion of Pant could easily pave way for either Varun Chakravarthy or Axar Patel to feature in the playing XI, giving India a much needed boost in bowling.
The left-hander argument, when it comes to Pant, goes out of the window when it comes to ODIs. It is pertinent to point out that the left-right combo that India follows in not necessary to be heeded in the 50-over format, simply because there are two new balls available. Besides, India also have the option of playing Jadeja and Washington Sundar, apart from Axar Patel, who can give the left-handed upper-hand if needed.
In all, it makes sense to have KL Rahul in the playing XI for the ODIs while Pant sits out. It remains to be seen what path India will tread on in IND vs ENG ODI series, the audition stage before the Champions Trophy.
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