Who is the ideal WK choice for India - Pant, Samson or Kishan?

After the retirement of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the spot for a wicketkeeper has been up for grabs. Many players have tried to fill the shoes of the legendary Indian wicketkeeper. 

These players have been Wriddhiman Saha, Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Dinesh Karthik, and Sanju Samson. Since the selectors have looked past Dinesh Karthik and Wriddhiman Saha, there are 3 wicket-keeping choices for India- Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan. Going forward, 

Who should be the ideal wicket-keeping choice for India?

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant has been India's first-choice wicket-keeper in tests, cementing his position in the longest format of the game. The 25-year-old has done well in ODIs averaging 35.62 and having a strike rate of 107.55. However, his numbers in T20I's have not been great. 

In 56 T20Is Rishabh Pant has averaged 22.43 with a poor strike rate of 126.43, scoring just 3 50's. Team management have changed Rishabh Pant's position many times, from batting in the middle order to batting as an opener. Pant should grab the opportunities he has been given, to cement his place as India's permanent wicket-keeper.

Rishabh Pant's stats in ODIs

Rishabh Pant's stats in T20Is

Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan has done well with the opportunities given to him. With team management moving on from Rohit Sharma in T20Is, a few more consistent performances from the 24-year-old will cement his position as an opener in T20Is for India. As far as ODI's are concerned, he will have to be patient to cement his position as it will be tough to replace India's mainstay top-order batsman such as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.
Ishan Kishan's stats in ODIs

Ishan Kishan's stats in T20Is

Sanju Samson

Despite making his debut in 2015, Sanju Samson has got the least amount of opportunities among Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan, who made their debuts in 2017 and 2021 respectively. The Keralite has been unlucky, as he has been dropped from the team multiple times because he did not fit the team balance. The 28-year-old has also not been given a consistent run in the team, which has made it difficult to cement his position.

Sanju Samson stats in ODIs

Sanju Samson stats in T20Is

Conclusion

After giving consistent chances to all 3 wicket-keepers, the team management must pick a permanent wicket-keeper going forward. The selectors should not repeat the mistakes of the 2022 T20 World Cup as they must select based on form and performance and not on reputation.

Who do you think should be India's wicketkeeper going forward? Leave our comments below and stay tuned to Sportco for more content.