India vs New Zealand ODI series: 5 biggest factors that will decide the outcome

The Rahul experiment

KL Rahul has the opportunity to cement his place as the keeper-batsman in ODIs

Having successfully tried using KL Rahul as the keeper-batsman in the T20Is, India are now certain to use the Karnataka batsman as their wicketkeeper in the ODIs also. Virat Kohli has said as much and Rahul’s success in this role during the ODI series against Australia when Rishabh Pant had to go off the field with an injury has assured him this role.

Now, the spotlight on Rahul would be even greater. Pant continues to be in the squad but is dangerously close to being left out. If Rahul does okay with the bat and doesn’t make any great mistakes behind the stumps, his position as the wicketkeeper batsman would be secured even further.

However if Rahul fails in the first two games with the bat, it would be interesting to see whether Kohli and the Indian team management sticks with him or give another chance to Pant. Then again, if he fails with the gloves (spills a couple of catches or misses stumpings), that too may tempt India to bring Pant back into the XI. This would be an angle that will be closely watched by fans.