SL vs IND: Why Is KL Rahul Not Playing India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI Match? Who Is India Wicket Keeper?

In a massive breaking news development, the Indian team have dropped premier wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul for the third and final ODI match against Sri Lanka taking place at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. India will surely be eyeing to make a fighting comeback in the India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI match after witnessing a disappointing 32-run defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in the second game. After the first match ended in a tie, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team will be looking to level the three-match ODI series as Sri Lanka are currently leading by a 1-0 margin. 

SL vs IND: Why is KL Rahul not playing today's India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI match?

After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, Indian captain Rohit Sharma revealed that KL Rahul is not included in the India playing 11 for this third and final ODI against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Incidentally, Rahul has failed to deliver with the bat in the first two matches against Sri Lanka, scoring 31 runs off 43 balls in the opening game while he was dismissed for a duck in the second ODI. On the other hand, Rahul played really well during the ODI World Cup 2023 at home where he smashed a brilliant tally of 452 runs from 11 games. However, the Indian team management has taken a big call as they playing Rishabh Pant as the wicket keeper batsman in the final ODI encounter against Sri Lanka. 

Interestingly, Pant is playing his first ODI match since 2022 November against New Zealand. It will be really important for the swashbuckling left-handed batsman to use this opportunity very well in order to confirm his spot in the ODI team. 

"Plenty to play for, we've been challenged in the last two matches. It's clear as to what we need to do with the bat and ball. We've addressed it - what we need to do as a group. You got to give credit to the opposition, they played well and understood the position well. Another opportunity for us to correct. Two changes. We have Rishabh and Riyan Parag in place of KL and Arshdeep," said Indian captain Rohit Sharma during the toss. 

Confirmed India Playing 11

1. Shubman Gill
2. Rohit Sharma (C)
3. Virat Kohli
4. Shreyas Iyer
5. Rishabh Pant (wk)
6. Shivam Dube
7. Riyan Parag
8. Axar Patel
9. Washington Sundar
10. Kuldeep Yadav
11. Mohammed Siraj

India Squad for the Sri Lanka ODI series

Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Harshit Rana.