For almost a decade and a half, there was never a problem for the Indian selectors regarding the wicket-keeping option with MS Dhoni in the ranks. However, since the end of the 2019 edition of the 50-over World Cup, there has been little to no news about MS Dhoni’s availability. In his absence, India tried Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul to keep the wickets.
While Rishabh Pant failed to make the most of the opportunity, the Karnataka star batsman KL Rahul grabbed it with both hands and became a temporary solution for the Indian team. But, can we see him as the long-term wicket-keeping option for India in the limited-overs?
KL Rahul brings flexibility to the team:
Rahul produced a string of impressive performances with the willow on the tour of New Zealand to ensure Pant remained on the bench for the entire five-match T20I series followed by a three-match ODI series.
There have been debates over who should be India’s first-choice wicket-keeper across formats and many feel Pant needs to back more by the team management. Former cricketers like Ashish Nehra, Parthiv Patel and Laxmipathy Balaji felt Pant is the future of the team in the long run.
However, with his performances against New Zealand in the T20I series, KL Rahul has shown the management that he can be one of the three-dimensional players that they’re always on the lookout for, who can don multiple hats.
His inclusion in the team further helps the management to go with an extra all-rounder or a batsman. Moreover, KL Rahul can be the perfect floater for the team, as he can play at any position for the team.
What are the Concerns?
The main concern about KL Rahul is his form and fitness. There is a saying that the candle that burns the brightest is often the candle that burns out the fastest. If KL Rahul is used in all the possible ways, he will likely have fitness problems in the long run.
However, the flamboyant cricketer is pretty happy to do all the tasks for the team. Recently, KL stated that he is enjoying the new role in the limited-overs.
Another concern with KL Rahul is that the flamboyant batsman has stated that he finds it difficult to keep for Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, as they bowl a yard quicker compare to the rest of the spinners.
“It is (a challenge). Even for me, sometimes I couldn’t pick Kuldeep and Jadeja. At the pace he (Kuldeep) bowls it is just pretty difficult, it is not what I get in my first-class team. I am just enjoying what is thrown at me and trying to do the best I can,” KL Rahul said.
Well, so far, it has been good for India with KL Rahul as the wicket-keeper. Even the skipper Virat Kohli is pretty happy to have KL behind the stumps, which gives him an option to add a player of his choice. Mostly, they would continue with him in a series after series policy and have Rishabh Pant as the backup.
