Rohit-Gambhir’s headache: Will KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer be chosen over Rishabh Pant for ODI series against Sri Lanka?

The timing of the ODI series against Sri Lanka is indeed odd. The three-match series will be India’s first since the one against South Africa in January and their last one before they face England next February at home. But these six ODIs are all that India have before they finalise their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for next February-March. Unlike T20Is and Tests, India have a settled line-up at their disposal in the ODIs, but in terms of looking at the future, each of these six ODIs bring so much to the table with few calls waiting to be taken.

Just like the T20Is, which India clean swept, they have a full-strength squad available for the ODIs. Sri Lanka, who are still reeling in the aftermath of that sensational collapse in the third T20I in Pallekele, are further depleted in Colombo, where all the three ODIs will be played at the Premadasa stadium. With Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara already missing, the hosts will have to make do without their star pacer Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka, who had an outstanding World Cup in India.

With the result being more or less a foregone conclusion, the series will be ideal for Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir to focus on some key areas that need immediate attention.

T20I Series ✅

It’s now time for ODIs 😎🙌#TeamIndia | #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/FolAVEn3OG

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 1, 2024

Rahul vs Pant

This should not even be a question considering KL Rahul not only aced in the role of a wicketkeeper in Rishabh Pant’s absence, but was also their best player in the format for over the last two years. His glovework at the World Cup was outstanding and he seemed to enjoy the role behind the stumps as he was constantly in the ears of the spinners plotting dismissals. Should he be the preferred one for the role, no eyebrows will be raised as it would allow India to use another batsman or all-rounder in that spot.

But Pant’s presence means he will definitely be among the discussion. Although the left-hander didn’t really come close to owning the spot in the ODIs, where he averages only 34.60 in 30 matches with just one century and five fifties, Pant for sure is an X-factor player worth investing in. Apart from his capabilities to explode in the middle-overs, Pant by virtue of being a left-hander brings value addition. With Gambhir a big fan of having left-right combinations as much as possible, Pant’s inclusion will also make total sense.

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— BCCI (@BCCI) July 31, 2024

Should India include both Rahul and Pant, the only way they can accommodate Shreyas Iyer – another pillar in the middle-order – is if they play with just 5 bowling options. That will be a big gamble to take, and harsh on Iyer.

Parag, Washington and Dube

If one goes by the T20Is, it is very evident that Gambhir prefers having batsmen who can chip in with a few overs. Even during Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach, it is one area where India failed to find the right personnel who could provide them the balance. They were largely dependent on Hardik Pandya, who has been dropped for the ODIs. Word around is that the selectors and the team management want him to prove his fitness by featuring in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and given his injury history, they are looking at grooming Nitish Kumar Reddy. If not for injury, Nitish would have been on the plane to Sri Lanka.

While Shivam Dube is part of the squad as a seam-bowling all-rounder, whether Rohit shows the faith in his bowling remains the big question. Even at the T20 World Cup, Rohit rarely used him. India will be looking at Riyan Parag and Washington Sundar to bat at No 6 or 7 with Axar Patel also in the mix.

That would mean, apart from Kuldeep Yadav, they can still make room for one more pacer alongside Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh.In the domestic circuit, Parag has been amongst the most consistent performers in 50-overs and is also used as a regular with the ball. Batting at No 5 also is a role that comes naturally to him.

As far as Washington goes, he has put in the hard yards to fit the mould of a finisher. Like Axar, Washington can also be used as a floater anywhere in the batting line-up. His off-spin is also very handy and in the T20Is, was successfully used in pressure situations. He is a player of interest for Rohit, who values his all-round credentials and also his ability to bowl in the powerplays.

Whoever gets the nod, they will play a significant role to play going forward especially for the team balance. To accommodate one of them, India will have to take the tough call of choosing two from Rahul, Pant and Shreyas.

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