Basit Ali backs Rishabh Pant as first-choice wicket-keeper for Champions Trophy

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has backed Rishabh Pant as the first-choice wicket-keeper for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Pant recently scored 255 runs in five Test matches against Australia but he doesn’t have  a great ODI record. Ali reckons it will be difficult for KL Rahul to keep wickets in the UAE conditions.

The former Pakistan batter wants Sanju Samson to be the second-choice wicketkeeper for the Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, KL Rahul has been India’s first-choice wicket-keeper in ODIs and it will be interesting to note India’s selection. Rahul was in decent form on the Australian tour, scoring 276 runs in five Test matches at an average of 30.67, including two fifties.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection is expected to announce India’s squad for CT 2025 on January 18-19.

“Rishabh Pant should be the first choice. Sanju Samson will be the second choice. I think it will be difficult for KL Rahul,” Basit said on his YouTube Channel.

Meanwhile, Basit Ali named Virat Kohli when he was asked who has the best fitness among top-class players.

“Virat Kohli has high fitness. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill are there but they are not top class players. Players do not have ground fitness like Virat. Like running in the ground, shouting from slips, cover, mid-off, or deep, from four sides of the ground,” he answered.

Furthermore, Basit Ali tipped Jasprit Bumrah as the best bowler and feels no bowler is close to him.

“Jasprit Bumrah is the best of all. You take the names of Shami, Arshdeep, Siraj, no one is close to him. If someone comes a little close it is Shami that too if he is fit,” he concluded.

India will take on England in three ODIs at home.