Indian Test side has been ruthless
while the limited over side has also been among top 3 in the world, however
just like no.4 in the odi team has been talking point from long time, the
wicket keeping slot is also in spotlight with number of contenders pressing
their case
Let’s look at the contenders who are eyeing for a
wicket keeping slot in National team in all the formats
 |
| Wriddhiman Saha is considered as best keeper in India |
1. Wriddhiman Saha :
When Saha suffered a serious injury in 2018 and was out for 21 months from the
game it looked like his career would be over, however he returned in test
series against South Africa and grabbed the role like he was never out of the
time. While Saha started his India career late due to presence of MS Dhoni but
in last 5 years he has been permanent test keeper who has impressed everyone
with his keeping skills. He has played 37 Tests for India and even at 35 it
seems that at least for another 2 years Indian Test keeping is in secure hands.
Career
Records
|
Format
|
Matches
|
Runs
|
Average
|
100
|
50
|
Catches
|
Stumps
|
|
Tests
|
37
|
1238
|
30.19
|
03
|
05
|
92
|
11
|
2.
Rishab
Pant : The most talked about youngster in Indian Sports
off late, Rishabh Pant have seen both extreme highs and lows in his short
career. However the kind of talent he possesses has forced Indian team
management and selectors to give him longer rope. What has made it difficult
for Pant is that there has been continuous comparison with legendry Mahendra
Singh Dhoni. He was thrust the role of wicketkeeper batsman right from the
beginning with huge expectation of performance in all the roles. The result, in
spite of becoming first Indian wicket keeper to score test centuries in England
and Australia, he lost his Test place from Saha and has faced continues
criticism for his wicket keeping in limited over games.
 |
| Rishabh Pant needs to work on keeping skill |
Career
Records
|
Format
|
Matches
|
Runs
|
Average
|
100
|
50
|
Catches
|
Stumps
|
|
Tests
|
11
|
754
|
44.35
|
02
|
02
|
51
|
02
|
|
ODIs
|
15
|
346
|
26.61
|
00
|
01
|
08
|
01
|
|
T20I
|
26
|
409
|
20.45
|
00
|
02
|
06
|
03
|
|
First
Class
|
34
|
2498
|
50.97
|
06
|
10
|
117
|
09
|
3. Sanju Samson : A
very talented stumper from Kerala ,Samson was deemed to be Dhoni’s successor in
limited over’s. In 2017 when Dhoni gave up the captaincy and there were talks
he might retire but as has been the case with Samson, the chances never came.
Dhoni’s desire to play till World Cup 2019 and then the arrival of Pant meant
that he has been on sidelines continuously. A look at his domestic record is
enough to show the kind of talent he possesses, in recent series he was
selected in the team but couldn’t get a game. He is only 25 and that is the
reason he has enough time but Samson would not want to end up like Dinesh Karthik who have been
brilliant keeper but played throughout in shadow of MS Dhoni and ultimately was
out of contention.
Career
Records
|
Format
|
Matches
|
Runs
|
Average
|
100
|
50
|
Catches
|
Stumps
|
|
First
Class
|
55
|
3162
|
37.64
|
10
|
12
|
73
|
07
|
 |
| Sanju Samson is only 25 but less number of opportunity is really concerning |
4. Ishan Kishen: Another
talented keeper from Bihar who plays for Jharkhand, the youngest of the lot, 21
year old Ishan Kishan is also a stroke player who caught the eyes of people by
his breathtaking stroke play. Ishan not only rose to prominence in domestic
cricket but was also hot property in IPL. However his shot selection has led to
severe criticism and ultimately has lost his place in both his IPL franchise
and Jharkhand team. His selection in A team for New Zealand tour, though means
that he is in eyes of selectors at least for shorter format.
 |
| Ishan Kishan another talented Wiccketkeeper |
Career
Records
|
Format
|
Matches
|
Runs
|
Average
|
100
|
50
|
Catches
|
Stumps
|
|
First
Class
|
42
|
2639
|
38.80
|
05
|
15
|
85
|
11
|
5. KS Bharat: Another
young keeper who is being seen as the most technically correct among all the
youngsters and who might take Saha’s position after his retirement. Only 26 he
has strong temperament which has led to his call during the Test squad against
Bangladesh as reserve but it was clearly evident that he is in scheme of things
for selectors. His experience and his calm head is makes him a preferred choice
for longer version
Career
Records
|
Format
|
Matches
|
Runs
|
Average
|
100
|
50
|
Catches
|
Stumps
|
|
First
Class
|
72
|
4036
|
37.71
|
09
|
20
|
246
|
27
|
 |
| Srikar Bharat - In scheme of Future plans |
6. Dinesh Karthik :If
anyone else would have been in place of Karthik he would have been satisfied
with what he has achieved for India, however
such has been the talent of Karthik that he himself might end up as barely
achieving half than what he was actually capable of. After a dismal World Cup
Karthik fell out of taste and since then have not been able to break in any of
the squad. He has been on the scene for more than 15 years and it is hard to
believe that he is still only 34 and can play another 2-3 years more , however
for that he has to fight number of young contenders whom the selectors are
seeing as long term prospects. Whether Karthik can make another come back or no
only time will tell.
 |
| Does Dinesh Karthik have enough fire left in him to make another comeback |
Career
Records
|
Format
|
Matches
|
Runs
|
Average
|
100
|
50
|
Catches
|
Stumps
|
|
Tests
|
26
|
1025
|
25.00
|
01
|
07
|
57
|
06
|
|
ODIs
|
94
|
1752
|
30.20
|
00
|
09
|
64
|
07
|
|
T20I
|
32
|
299
|
33.25
|
00
|
00
|
14
|
05
|
|
First
Class
|
164
|
9506
|
40.97
|
28
|
42
|
385
|
44
|
 |
| And what about you ? Do you have in you to to solve India's quest for a Wicketkeeper? |
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