Former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta has picked Wriddhiman Saha over Rishabh Pant as India’s first-choice wicket-keeper for the upcoming Test series against South Africa.

However, Dasgupta had admitted that Pant is a far better batsman than Saha at the moment but his keeping skills are yet to be at best and he feels India will need the experience of the Bengal gloveman on home conditions against the Proteas side as his batting was also impressive since his return.

As per reports in The Telegraph, Dasgupta said: “Post his recovery from injury, Wriddhi has delivered and done whatever one has asked of him. There is no shadow of doubt that he is the best wicketkeeper in the world at present. The only question was whether Wriddhi was a good enough batsman, especially when the team is looking to play five bowlers.”

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The youngster has been under the radar for his dismal form in the limited-overs cricket, though the southpaw has done well in Tests, he's keeping in the format is still concerned.

But former cricketer has decided to go with Saha purely on the basis of his skills behind the wickets, saying the veteran has done every bit with the bat ever since his comeback. He added, “Now, from the batting perspective, ever since Wriddhi’s comeback, he has scored runs every time he has gone out to bat. He has performed for India A consistently.”

Dasgupta signed off by saying, “Yes, one may ask if Wriddhi is a better batsman than Rishabh… Well, maybe not. Then the question arises that in this format, do you prefer a better keeper or a better batsman? But going by what I saw of Rishabh in the West Indies as far as his keeping is concerned and what’s expected at home in the coming Tests, I would go with Wriddhi.”

(With The Telegraph Inputs)