Wasim Jaffer picks his wicketkeeper for India in 2023 ODI World Cup with key players injured

Wasim Jaffer (Source: Twitter)

Indian selectors will have to make some crucial decisions ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023, as key players including Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul have yet to fully recover from injuries. Team India has been experimenting with different players for the vacant spots but is yet to find the perfect replacement. While Iyer and Rahul are showing improvement in their fitness, Pant is unlikely to return before the mega event.

It is worth noting that all three of the injured first-choice players are middle-order batters. If Rahul regain fitness, then selectors will have only headache to choose a back-up wicketkeeper as the latter will be the primary choice for standing behind the stumps. Rahul has been India's wicket-keeper in the last 12 months or so in ODIs and his exceptional numbers at No. 5 will make him the preferred choice.

If Iyer fails to recover, India would most likely go with Suryakumar Yadav, despite his poor stats in the 50-over format. The management has been trying to fix Yadav at No. 4, and he has also been selected for the West Indies tour, where he will bat in the same position. But in the absence of Pant, India need to find a back-up wicketkeeper for Rahul.

Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are the two options up front for India at the moment. Kishan has had better opportunities than Samson in recent times, but apart from a double century against Bangladesh, he has not been impressive. Samson averages 66 in the format despite not getting a consistent run. The right-handed batter now has a great opportunity to prove his mettle during the three-match ODI series against West Indies.

KL Rahul will obviously be the first choice: Wasim Jaffer 

However, former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer feels Kishan has a better chance of making the team than Samson since the southpaw can also serve as a backup opening option.

"I think so. KL Rahul will obviously be the first choice if he is fit. After that, Sanju Samson could be the one. It could also be Ishan Kishan as the backup opener and wicketkeeper. Then Sanju might miss out," Jaffer told JioCinema.

"So this series (West Indies) is very important for Sanju Samson. There has been a slight consistency issue with Sanju Samson. But if he plays like that, if he takes responsibility, he could be that second wicketkeeper," he added.