Kohli names first choice keeper against NZ and it’s not Pant

India won the series against Australia by 2-1 after losing the 1^st game. Australia rocked India in the 1^st game and gave the hosts a reality check with their 10 wicket win in the 1^st game. India has found a whole new dimension altogether in KL Rahul when he kept wickets in the last 2 games. And, now it looks like Rishabh Pant has found a new competitor in KL Rahul.

Pant’s miss becomes Rahul’s gain

Rishabh Pant who was the designated wicketkeeper for India at the start of the 3 match ODI series against Australia, missed the last two games and didn’t even keep in the 1^st game after he got hit by a brutal bouncer from Pat Cummins. As there were no other wicket-keeper in the squad, KL Rahul kept wickets in the 1^st ODI and went on to impress with his keeping skills which made the management to stick with him for the remaining 2 ODIs as well.

Here’s what the Indian skipper had to say about KL Rahul’ new position in the team

“It definitely allows us to play an extra batsman which strengthen our batting massively,”

When reporters asked about Rishabh Pant’s snub in the 3^rd ODI, Virat said that there was no need to change the team after on a winning momentum

“We have to persist with it as he has done well. We have to see whether it works, you cannot chop and change. I do not see why we should change this playing XI

You can’t chop and change immediately and create confusion within the group. So we are playing very well unchanged and we did the job again, two back to back wins.”

Rahul can do a Rahul of 2003

The Indian captain also emphasized on the fact how Rahul Dravid was helpful to the team when he started to keep wickets for India in the 2003 World Cup which was a glorious campaign for India.

“That is a very important factor as far as the team balance is concerned. If you look at the 2003 World Cup where Rahul (Dravid) bhai started keeping, the balance became different because you could play an extra batter and guys at the top could really play positive cricket.”

India’s next mission will be against the Kiwis in New Zealand. The series kick starts with the 1^st T20I starting January 24^th.