Sourav Ganguly Reacts To Wicket-Keeping Debate Between KL Rahul And Rishabh Pant

India’s flamboyant limited-overs’ opener KL Rahul showcased his mettle during the first T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday. He continued his rich vein of form in his favourite format by scoring a magnificent 56 with the help of four fours and three sixes.

Lokesh Rahul and Virat Kohli added 99 runs for the second wicket and helped India set a platform during their run-chase of 204 after the early departure of Rohit Sharma in the second over.

Shreyas Iyer’s crucial fifty steered India past the finishing line as the visitors won by six wickets win with an over to spare. India took 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.

At the post-match press conference of the opening T20I, Rahul was left confused when a journalist asked him when wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant be back into the Indian national cricket team.

KL Rahul replied: “It’s not up to me, I mean.”

Pant had lost his place as first-choice wicketkeeper option in limited-overs cricket to Rahul, who earned the trust of team management and selectors with his performances so far on the pitch.

Pant had sustained a concussion during India’s first ODI match against Australia and was subsequently ruled out for the last two matches of the series. It was when KL Rahul grabbed the opportunity in both hands. He performed well to help his side bag the three-match ODI series against the Aussies 2-1.

Sourav Ganguly reacts to Rahul-Pant wicketkeeping debate:

Meanwhile, Sourav Ganguly has reacted to the ongoing wicket-keeping debate between KL Rahul and Pant. When asked whether the recent move bad any similarity with his tactic of keeping with Rahul Dravid ahead of the 2003 ODI World Cup, Ganguly answered it smartly.

“Virat Kohli takes that decision. The team management and captain decide the role of KL Rahul,” Ganguly told ABP News.

BCCI chief heaped praise on Rahul for his spectacular performances in limited-overs cricket. “He has played well in ODIs and T20Is. He started well in Test cricket but has gone down slightly. But in limited-overs cricket, he has played really well and hope he continues all the good work but like I said, all these decisions are of the team management’s,” Ganguly added.

When asked for the wicket-keeper’s spot for the T20 World Cup tournament scheduled to be held this year, Sourav Ganguly said, “The selectors, Virat and Ravi will decide that. Whatever they think, it’ll happen that way.”

Read More: KL Rahul Rides On Lady Luck, Survives Twice In One Delivery Against New Zealand