Indian cricketer KL Rahul, making a remarkable return to Test cricket, is likely to play as a specialist batsman, not a wicketkeeper, in the upcoming home Test series against England.
Despite performing well as a wicketkeeper in the two-Test series against South Africa, where he scored a brilliant hundred at Centurion, reports from TOI suggest that the team management intends to utilize him primarily as a batsman on turning tracks at home.
According to a source from BCCI speaking to TOI: “Rahul will play as a specialist batter from now on. While in overseas Tests you just have to stand back to the pacers, wicketkeeping in India, where spinners may operate in tandem, isn’t easy. The ball can bounce or turn viciously on the spin friendly home wickets. You’ve to keep moving up and down as a ’keeper. We want a specialist in that role.”
The source further added: “Rahul, on the other hand, is one of our most valuable batting assets. We don’t want to burn him out by making him do the glovework as well. There is also a risk of him catching an injury while standing behind the stumps, which we can’t afford. Bharat and Jurel will be our wicketkeepers in this series.”
Ishan Kishan remains unavailable for selection in the Indian team: BCCI Source
There has been extensive discussion regarding Ishan Kishan’s availability, as he requested a break due to mental fatigue during the South Africa tour.
Despite reports suggesting team management considered dropping him for behavioural reasons, Coach Rahul Dravid clarified in a press conference that the young player hasn’t made himself available for selection. Aligning with the Indian coach, the source mentioned:
“He (Ishan) wasn’t considered for the England series as he is yet to tell the BCCI that he can be considered for selection again.”
It will be intriguing to observe if the home team opts for the experienced KS Bharat as their wicketkeeper or takes a gamble on Dhruv Jurel, potentially giving the youngster his debut against England. The inaugural Test is scheduled for January 25 in Hyderabad.
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