Farokh Engineer weighs in on KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant selection debate: ‘Unlucky that both of them…’

Veteran cricketer Farokh Engineer has praised the healthy competition within the Indian cricket team, noting that talented players like Rishabh Pant are warming the bench in the Champions Trophy to accommodate the in-form KL Rahul in the starting XI. The team is facing a delightful dilemma of having an abundance of match-winners like Pant and Arshdeep Singh waiting for their chance to showcase their skills in the tournament. However, even with such depth of talent, players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mohammed Siraj unfortunately missed out on making it into the squad. The fierce competition for spots in the playing XI is a testament to the strength and depth of Indian cricket at the moment.

Meanwhile, Rahul, who has been a mainstay in India's ODI line-up, continues to retain his place and has shown versatility batting down the order at number 6. He played a crucial 42-run* knock against Australia in the semifinal

Farokh feels that Pant, who is a destroyer as a batter, is unlucky that he and Rahul are part of the team at the same time, as the latter has not done anything wrong to get dropped.

“For India, it is a very healthy position to be in. Rahul has not done much wrong. Rishabh is very good, a batter who is a destroyer. He is just unlucky that both of them are there at the same time," Farokh said during the felicitation ceremony at Madras Cricket Club via Times of India.

Rahul, who started his career as an opening batter, has always stood up in times of crisis, turning out to be a quintessential team man and now, he has shown consistency at the number 6 position.

The former cricketer clearly stated that there is no room for space in the XI for Pant at the moment, with India having good all-round options in the team.

“There is an argument that Rishabh can come in as an additional batter, but India have got many all-rounders. There is no room in the playing XI. It is wonderful to see Indian cricket thrive and I am proud of it,” he added.

“Varun reminds me of BS Chandrasekhar”

Farokh also discussed India's recent use of four spinners in the XI. He praised India's mystery spinner, Varun Chakaravarthy, and said he reminded him of BS Chandrasekhar.

“India have class spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Varun. You know what, Varun reminds me of BS Chandrasekhar. It is wonderful that India are playing to their strengths (by using four spinners). Horses for courses depending on the pitches they are playing," he added.

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