KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan Or Sanju Samson? Dinesh Karthik Reveals His Pick To Replace Rishabh Pant In India's ODI Team

With Rishabh Pant sidelined as he continues his recovery after the dangerous car accident in December last year, all eyes are on the Indian team-management as the Indian cricket fraternity eagerly waits to see who replaces the wicketkeeper in the upcoming ODI games.

With the Asia Cup and the World Cup not very far away, India are likely to take a final call soon. At present, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are in contention for the wicketkeeper’s role in the ODI team. And while only time will tell who replaces Pant, veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik believes Rahul could be the man.

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Explaining his pick, Karthik stated that Rahul’s batting order in the team makes him the favourite candidate to replace Pant as the wicketkeeper of the team. Karthik also stated that fielding the strongest possible eleven would be a challenge for the Indian team-management.

“It’s very hard to say but you have to say that KL Rahul is the front-runner because he’s been part of the Indian team batting at number five. He’ll be the front-runner followed by Sanju and Ishan Kishan,” Dinesh Karthik was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

“I think we have a set of cricketers who can do special things being part of the team and how we gel together as a unit and get the most forceful team onto the park will be the biggest challenge,” added Karthik who has played 94 ODIs, 60 T20Is, and 26 Tests for India.

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Dinesh Karthik on Sanju Samson:

Dinesh Karthik also lavished praise on Sanju Samson. The Royal Challengers Bangalore star hailed the 28-year old as one of the most improved cricketers in the last year. Last year, Samson scored 284 runs in 10 ODIs at an average of 71 and a strike rate of more than 102. Karthik is also hopeful that Samson would make the most of the opportunities that will come his way in the coming days.

“I feel that Sanju has been one of the most improved cricketers in the last year, especially before the T20 World Cup when he got the opportunity in the West Indies in T20Is, ODIs I thought he did very very well. Last 12 months in international cricket I think has been his best time,” said Karthik.

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“In the next three months he will be getting enough and more opportunities in the West Indies series, maybe for the Asia Cup as well, Ireland series. So, the opportunities are going to come and if he makes the most of it, I’m sure he’ll put his hand in celebration,” he added.

Samson has been named in India’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against West Indies. The right-handed batsman is also likely to find a place in the squad for the T20I series.

Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | Rishabh Pant | KL Rahul | Suryakumar Yadav | Sanju Samson | Shreyas Iyer | Yuzvendra Chahal | Jasprit Bumrah