5 wicketkeepers who could replace Dinesh Karthik behind the stumps

The Indian cricket team are reeling after being decimated by England in the second Test at Lords. They would’ve been hoping against hope for a better showing, to get back into the series after a narrow loss in the first Test. Now they face an insurmountable task should they want to salvage anything from the series.

The second Test ended up being a nightmare for India from the get-go. From the time the team selection was made, people were raising their eyebrows. Playing two spinners and going in with two seamers and an allrounder in those conditions? They were on the back foot right away. Then they were put into bat and were swiftly ripped apart by the likes of Broad, Anderson and Woakes, all of whom were unplayable on that pitch. Conditions were perfect for the world-class bowling trio, and India didn’t have any answers.

Someone who’s looked utterly rudderless so far has been KD Karthik. With Saha being injured, and after a strong showing in the IPL, he got his chance to come back into the Indian team. He’s been there, done it before. He got his second chance. But so far, he’s failed to make any sort of an impact. With the bat, he’s looked all at sea. But then again so have most of the Indian batsmen. But he’s been less than tidy behind the stumps too. He’s found it tough to contend with the extravagant swing in English conditions. In cricket, if all’s going pear-shaped, you should be able to look to your keeper for some stability. India hasn’t even been able to do that.

There are no shortage of wicketkeepers waiting in the wings. For a long time, being a wicketkeeper in India, you were resigned to playing domestic cricket and hoping your batting prowess can get you noticed by national selectors. MS Dhoni’s been number one choice behind the stumps for what seems like an age. Since Dhoni retired from Tests, Saha’s taken over the mantle in the longer format. He’s a tidy keeper and a more than a decent batsman. He’s been in England. But not for cricketing purposes. Saha’s just had surgery on his right shoulder.

There are plenty of wicketkeeping alternatives for India to choose from. India’s chosen its Test squad for the first three Tests. But they may look to include some of these names in the squad for the last two Tests. They may have their eyes on these wicketkeeping options going forward.

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#5 Parthiv Patel

Parthiv is experienced in ODI and Test colours

Parthiv Patel is a little pocket rocket. He’s been playing as captain for Gujarat on the domestic circuit for an age. He’s also got plenty of experience at international level. Who can forget that baby-faced teenager walking out for his debut on the biggest stage of them all at Trent Bridge? Since then he’s played 25 Tests for India and 38 ODIs. He’s been doing mightily well on the domestic circuit and in the IPL.

As a batsman, he’s got a proven pedigree. As a wicketkeeper, he’s gotten safer as he’s gained experience. He can open the batting too, and could, therefore, prove to be an apt solution for India’s opening batting woes.

#4 Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant hitting out for India A

Rishabh Pant is a lot of people’s favourite choice to replace Karthik for the next Test. He’s already in the squad and has been capped at international level in T20s. Test cricket against a quality seam attack in foreign conditions will be a different kettle of fish. He’s a flashy, destructive batsman.

But will his technique come up short against the likes of Broad and Anderson? Perhaps it’s worth giving him a go and just giving him the licence to go out and play his natural game. He can’t really do any worse than Karthik has thus far.

#3 Sanju Samson

India's next big thing in all formats

For a long time now, Sanju Samson has been rated as being the next big thing in Indian cricket. For years Sanju has been doing well in domestic cricket and has been showing moments of brilliance in the IPL. He’s decimated some of the world’s best attacks. He bats at the top of the order and gives teams great platforms. Sanju has a sound technique behind the stumps too. He’s made one T20I appearance and has been on a number of A tours.

Perhaps now is the time for him to make the step up. Red ball cricket would suit his game perfectly.

#2 Naman Ojha

Naman Ojha in action for India A

At 35, Naman Ojha has plenty of experience, including some at international level. He’s been capped by India in all three formats. He’s only played the solitary Test which was three years ago. Naman would feel that he hasn’t had the chance to shine. He’s proved his worth in domestic cricket.

Every season he gets picked up in the IPL and puts in some decent performances. He’s a hard hitter but has a sound technique too. That goes for his prowess as a wicketkeeper too. He’s got a safe pair of hands. He’s 35, but it could be worth banking on some experience in an otherwise young squad.

#1 KL Rahul

KL Rahul's batting prowess is known about

It’s evident that India and Kohli want KL Rahul in the side. He’s been doing mightily well of late, something that’s made experts say that he should walk into all three formats of the game for India. But since his hundred in the T20I against England in Manchester, he hasn’t really done anything of note. But then again neither have the rest of the Indian batsman, with the exception of Kohli. There’s a good chance that Dhawan will be coming back into the side in place of Vijay who bagged a pair at Lords. Rahul could keep his place.

Although he hasn’t done so before at international level, there’s no reason why he couldn’t take the gloves as well. He keeps wicket at domestic level and in the IPL.