IND vs BAN: Is KL Rahul ready for the role of wicketkeeper in ODI World Cup?

New Delhi. Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the ODI series against Bangladesh due to injury. Ishaan Kishan is present as the second wicketkeeper in Team India, but this role was handed over to KL Rahul. While batting first in the ODI being played in Mirpur, the entire Indian team returned to the pavilion for 186 runs. 7 batsmen including Virat Kohli could not reach double figures. Captain Rohit Sharma also could not get the team out of trouble. In the midst of all this, KL Rahul handled one end to take the team to a respectable score. Batting at number five, he scored 73 runs in 70 balls, which included 5 fours and 4 sixes.

In the first ODI against Bangladesh, the Indian think tank gave place to an additional bowler in the team by handing over the responsibility of wicketkeeper to KL Rahul. In such a situation, the question is whether the team management wants to feed KL Rahul as a wicket-keeper batsman in the ODI World Cup to be held next year? There are many reasons for this as well. Firstly, the team’s regular wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has not proved to be very effective in limited overs. After the New Zealand tour, the question is also being raised that how many chances will he be given? Second reason, when KL Rahul comes in the role of wicketkeeper, the management gets additional leeway in the selection of the team, which they can use as per the requirement. Team India’s current coach Rahul Dravid has also played a similar role. Third reason, KL Rahul himself wants this.

Said 2 years ago, but didn’t get a chance
KL Rahul has already cleared his point of view on playing the role of wicketkeeper. In an interview given to PTI 2 years ago, Rahul had said that he is ready to play the role of wicketkeeper for Team India in the next three World Cups. However, he was not given this responsibility in the T20 World Cup played in 2021 and 2022. Rahul had said at that time, it helps in team combination and this is something that I would love to do. If given a chance, I can play the role of wicketkeeper in the World Cup. It will be a pleasure for me to do this for my country.

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ready to bat in the lower order
The team management has already made it clear about Rahul in the ODI format that he will bat in the lower order only. While batting at number-5, Rahul’s figures are also good. He has scored runs at an average of 67 in 12 innings while batting between numbers 4-6 for India since 2020.

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Tags: KL Rahul, Rahul Dravid, Rishabh Pant, team india