"Virat Kohli genuinely saved KL Rahul" - Fans react to Rishabh Pant's absence in India’s ODI XI

There were quite a few speculations regarding India's team before the start of the ODI series against England. One of the biggest questions was the preference of the wicketkeeper in India's Playing XI.

The Men in Blue had two options for the particular role - KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. Both of them are immensely talented and capable of making it to any Playing XI in the world. However, the spot was open for just one of them to be in the final XI.

India preferred to go with Rahul over Pant given his previous ODI performances for the team. Rahul has been India's first-choice keeper in the format and has done quite well with both the bat and the gloves.

The social media was quick to react to India's preference to go with KL Rahul over a highly rated cricketer like Rishabh Pant. The users even claimed that Virat Kohli played a role in saving KL Rahul's place in the ODI team.

Watch: Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami hand debut ODI caps to Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harshit Rana in Nagpur

Twitter reacts to India's preference to have KL Rahul over Rishabh Pant

All The Best @klrahul ❤️🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/gdBLXezrm4

— Rishabhians (@Rishabhians17) February 6, 2025

KL Rahul Wicket Keeper Batsman For 1st ODI 🔥♥ pic.twitter.com/iHDn8Cx5I4

— 𝑨𝑹𝑴𝑨𝑵 ᴷᴸ ᴿᵃʰᵘˡ ˢᵗᵃⁿ (@CoolB0yArman01) February 6, 2025

Virat Kohli genuinely saved KL Rahul! Otherwise, we all know @GautamGambhir's obsession with left-handers would have led to KL being dropped for Pant - who has yet to prove his worth - just to maintain that left-right combo. 🤦‍♂️ #ViratKohli𓃵 #KLRahul #INDvsENG #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/YIf9FVnJJT

— 🇮🇳 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗢𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘂𝘀 (@Stroke0Genius41) February 6, 2025

Fraud KL Rahul ahead of Pant . Fuck off 👎👎

— Baahubali (@SPSINGH97_) February 6, 2025

India's best wicketkeeper KL Rahul is back.❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/xvPj4bQ16t

— Kunal Yadav (@Kunal_KLR) February 6, 2025

We back again baby ....back to keeping days 🙌
Rahul 💪pic.twitter.com/JTqOUJ39iV

— Abhishek Jaswal (@Radiator178) February 6, 2025

Rishabh Pant only played 3 ODI innings after this Historic knock
Today he is dropped for Mugs like
KL Rahul who scores 1 boundary in 110 balls and Shreyas Iyer who dances against 125kmph short balls

Rohit and Politician Gambhir won't see heaven 😡🤬 pic.twitter.com/M4ug9RkOGJ

— No Run (@RideDatoverPony) February 6, 2025

Why does India need Rahul??

He's a slow starter while batting at 5 you need someone who can smack from ball 1 + he's not even a proper WK and we saw what he did in WC final with his keeping + he is the biggest lukkhaa when pressure is high.

— 🍓 (@19cric) February 6, 2025

Overconfident Rishabh Pant fans were already celebrating his spot in the squad against England, but GG, as always, pulled off a masterstroke and dropped him from the playing XI. His fans are crying right now. pic.twitter.com/mdXz650GYT

— StarcyKKR (@StarcKKR) February 6, 2025

KL Rahul's ODI numbers

KL Rahul is likely to bat at No. 5 in this match. He has an excellent record in the middle order in the 50-over format for India. The right-hander has also been a safe option with the gloves.

Rahul's ability to play spin well in the middle overs made the Indian team management go for him again. He has a magnificent ODI record with 2851 runs in 77 ODIs at an average of 49.15 and a strike rate of 87.56.

Rahul has been India's crises man a no. of times in ODIs. He has the temperament to soak up the pressure and performs when his team needs him to. Adding to it, he has a shown a lot of improvement as a wicketkeeper.

Rishabh Pant's struggle in white-ball cricket

On the other hand, Rishabh Pant has scored 871 runs in 31 ODIs so far at a below par average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 106.21. While Pant has an excellent Test record, he is yet to establish himself as a quality white-ball player.

Pant is a key part of India's Test team and has scored 2948 runs in 43 Tests so far, The left-hander is regarded as the best wicketkeeper in red-ball cricket right now due to his match-winning knocks in the format.

With the Champions Trophy looming around, India have two high-quality keepers in their squad. It will be a tussle between these two players about the single spot in the Playing XI. KL Rahul will be under pressure to perform as Rishabh Pant will be breathing down his neck.