One name who has been consistent and brilliant as a wicketkeeper for India for more than a decade now was MS Dhoni. While the former captain is still one of the best around in limited overs, his retirement from Tests meant that Wriddhiman Saha finally got his chance and has been an able back-up.
Here are five other players who can take over from Dhoni once he is done:
Rishabh Pant (Efficiency: 8.5/10)
Widely touted as the natural successor to Dhoni, Pant comes from the same school of quick hitting and is still only a teenager. Pant has all the attributes to be a good wicketkeeper in the future and he is on the right path already, having made his debut for the Indian limited overs teams.
It still remains to be seen whether Pant can take up the same spot in the longer format, but for now, he is number one to take over once MS’s reign is done.
Sanju Samson (Efficiency: 7.5/10)
The Kerala wicketkeeper batsman is another talent when it comes to limited overs cricket and he is also a good keeper. He has shown his class behind the stumps for his domestic teams and even in the IPL.
If Samson can capitalise in the next two years or so, he has a serious chance of making it to the international team.
Ishan Kishan (Efficiency: 8/10)
A relative newcomer, Kishan hails from the same state as MS Dhoni and has already proven his class with the bat on multiple occasions. Kishan is also a gifted wicketkeeper with good reflexes who could prove to be the difference.
Kishan will need to work hard on his game if he is to take over from a player such as Dhoni, but at the moment, things look like they are going in the right direction.
KL Rahul (Efficiency: 6.5/10)
Though Rahul is better as a batsman in international cricket, he has donned the gloves on many occasions for Karnataka and the RCB. Rahul is a fantastic athlete and has the power to take over as the full-time keeper.
It will be interesting to see whether Rahul will be given the role because of his history with injuries. In Indian Premier League (IPL), KL Rahul didn’t impress that much as RCB’s wicketkeeper. Also, he has fitness issues and it would be interesting to see whether he will be ready to take up this responsibility.
Dinesh Karthik (Efficiency: 8/10)
Though Karthik is already 32 years old, he is still fit and very much part of the Indian’s limited overs teams, as second wicketkeeper batsman. Karthik knows everything in the international arena and was unfortunate not to get a bigger role because of MS Dhoni.
Maybe once Dhoni retires, Karthik can get a couple of years where he can make the most of the opportunities that come his way before retiring himself.
By Rohit Nair
