India tour of Bangladesh: 5 wicketkeeping options for replacing MS Dhoni

India will tour Bangladesh for a mini tour of three ODIs. Before the important English tour, it is a great way of warming up as a team and setting the chemistry right for the players who have been playing against each other for their franchises in the Indian Premier League. It is also a great opportunity for some of the deserving young performers from IPL and domestic circuit to prove their talent before the selection for the England tour happens. As reported earlier, skipper MS Dhoni and batting spearhead Virat Kohli have requested rest before the hectic calender year starting with the England tour, which will only end once the World Cup is concluded next year. So, in the absence of the skipper, who can take the stand behind the stumps? Here are five options that Indian think tank must consider:

#5 Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik has been able to somehow be in the national scene even through the MS Dhoni era. He is a very sound batsman who has proved to be equally destructive whenever an opportunity has presented itself.

His work with gloves has been decent too and 23 test matches and 71 ODIs in his resume show that he has been a trusted commodity for the selectors time and again.

The highest paid player for Delhi Daredevils has shown the moments of brilliance this season which defined his previous season with Mumbai Indians, which earned him a place in the national side. Though his side is yet to register a win, Karthik has done decently well for the team.

With experience on his side, he can be a strong contender for Dhoni’s place for the Bangladesh tour.

#4 Wriddhiman Saha

A talented wicket-keeping batsman, Wriddhiman Saha, much like his other contemporaries has been tad unlucky because there was always one MS Dhoni in the national side.

With a strong domestic performance and 4 tests under his belt, he is a pro and can be a good replacement for the resting skipper. Saha plays for Bengal in the domestic circuit and has been an integral part of their machine since the departure of Deep Das Gupta.

His performance with the bat has been decent this season in the IPL but the stats can lie too. His team, Kings XI Punjab has a top order that consists of Virender Sehwag, David Miller and Glenn Maxwell. That doesn’t leave much to do for the rest of batters. Have no doubt though, Saha can bat and bat well. His strike rate of 134 and a couple of 50s don’t suggest otherwise either.

Behind the stumps, he has been impressive with a total of 9 dismissals

#3 Naman Ojha

This 30-year-old wicket-keeper batsman has proved his worth again and again at the domestic level since his debut in 2000/2001 season. Unfortunately, he was overlooked again and again by the selectors like many other talents.

Patience, though, is known for bearing fruit. IPL came as a boon to him with Rajasthan Royals picking him up in the 2009 IPL. He has not looked back since. Jumping ships from the Royals to Delhi to now Hyderabad, he has impressed one and all with his consistency with bat and gloves.

This season, he has been instrumental in saving Sunrisers in several tight situations with his bat and has been one of the most consistent wicket keeper with 7 dismissals. His unbeaten 79 including 7 sixes is one of the highlights of this IPL, but most impressive is his average which touches 47. He is a finisher!

Age might be a factor for this talented Madhya Pradesh veteran but he will certainly be hoping to wash off the unforgettable single ODI he got to play against Zimbabwe in 2010, where he could just score 1 run.

Naman Ojha is lot more than that, if you don’t believe me, believe in his records!

#2 Robin Uthappa

Robin Uthappa, the batsman, has been the best Indian with the willow this year at the IPL. No one has looked more destructive, more dominating and more consistent than this man from Karnataka.

Kolkata knight Riders have gaily rode over his wave to enjoy a rather comfortable position in the point table. Behind the stumps too, he has gathered 6 dismissals but what is impressive is that 5 out of them are stumpings.Uthappa is a great opening option for India, along with being a decent wicketkeeper, which means, the team can play him up the order or can keep him at number 7. It makes the line up flexible and the team can easily accomodate an extra bowler whenever the need arises.

He deserves a spot in the national side just because of his batting abilities but also being a wicketkeeper gives him a golden opportunity in absence of MSD.

Uthappa has been a member of the World Cup winning side, seen the success in the past and its only a matter of time before he makes his much awaited comeback after around 3 years.

#1 Sanju Samson

With a very impressive performance this IPL season as Rajasthan Royals’ wicketkeeper, Sanju Vishwanath Samson has proved at a young age of 19, that he is ready for the big leagues.

So far, besides impressing everyone with 7 dismissals behind the stumps this season, he has also scored 235 runs with the bat and has been a fine addition to royals lower middle order this year.

He was the highest run getter for his home side Kerala in the last concluded Ranji season with a high score of 211.

Right before the all important tour of England, this young kid won’t mind getting a chance against a much weaker side on a much friendlier surface. The age is on his side, add the fact that skipper Dhoni is not getting any younger, this lad can be the next big thing for Team India.