Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul have been selected for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, while Sanju Samson has been left out. This series, set to take place in Colombo, marks Pant’s return to the ODI format after a serious car accident in December 2022. Pant is one of the wicketkeepers chosen for the series, alongside KL Rahul, who had filled in as the wicketkeeper during Pant’s absence in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Despite Rahul’s successful stint at the World Cup, where he scored 452 runs in 10 innings, including a century and two fifties, he is not considered the primary backup for Pant.
Pant’s comeback follows his significant contribution to India’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign, and he is expected to reclaim his role as the middle-order wicketkeeper-batter. This shift implies that Rahul, despite his recent success, will likely sit out the three ODIs against Sri Lanka scheduled from August 3 to 7. Instead, the selectors view Dhruv Jurel as the main backup wicketkeeper across formats. Jurel impressed in his international debut during the England Test series earlier this year, which has bolstered his standing as a reliable option behind the stumps.
Sanju Samson’s exclusion from the ODI squad has raised eyebrows, especially after he scored a maiden international century in India’s last ODI against South Africa in December 2023. Samson’s omission is reportedly a result of Rahul’s selection, which has limited opportunities for other players in the squad. However, Samson has been included in the T20I series against Sri Lanka as a backup for Pant, indicating that the selectors are still considering him for the shorter format as they prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
KL Rahul’s absence from the T20I series roster signals a shift in the selection strategy for the shortest format. Rahul had been overlooked for the T20 World Cup and was not selected for the tour of Zimbabwe earlier this month, suggesting that he might not be in the selectors’ plans for future T20I competitions. This move highlights the ongoing efforts to build a robust team for upcoming tournaments and refine the squad based on performance and future potential.
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