New Delhi: Two fringe positions of the second keeper and wrist spinner would be up for discussion when BCCI selectors meet to select India’s provisional squad for the Champions Trophy.
The selection committee could meet a day after the Vijay Hazare final, on January 19 to pick the 15-member squad with most deliberations centering on a three-way fight between Dhruv Jurel, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan to be the second keeper behind Rishabh Pant.
KL Rahul is unlikely to be considered as a back-up keeper in the future even though he donned the big gloves at the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Pant is the undisputed first-choice glovesman, with Jurel’s stock gradually rising amidst Kishan’s fading fortunes and Samson’s skills primarily suited for T20Is, reports the PTI.
Samson’s decision to skip the Vijay Hazare Trophy coupled with Kishan’s modest form in the domestic tournament culd tilt the scale towards Jurel.
Kuldeep’s fitness a concern
Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s availability depends on his fitness as he would undergo tests under match simulated conditions. In case he fails to pass the fitness test, Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi would be considered to fill the spot.
Chakravarthy has taken 18 wickets in six games in the Vijaya Hazare Trophy while Bishnoi has 14 wickets from as many games, both having been selected the T20I team in the past.
Chakravarthy has claimed two five-wicket hauls for Tamil Nadu and has claimed his wickets at an economy rate of 4.36 though his fielding ability and potency in the flat wickets of Dubai, where India will play their Champions Trophy games, could go against hi,
Bishnoi has taken his wickets in at an economy rate of 3.64 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and his impressive skills is added plus.
The BCCI selection committee could meet on January 19, a day after the Vijay Hazare final, to pick India’s 15-member provisional squad for the Champions Trophy Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
