IND vs BAN: Dinesh Karthik warns against full-time wicketkeeping role for KL Rahul in Tests

KL Rahul has grown as a cricketer, and his wicketkeeping skills have also considerably improved with time, but he is no longer considered the wicketkeeper-batter for the Indian cricket team. And Dinesh Karthik expressed skepticism over Rahul’s role as the wicketkeeper in Test cricket.

However, the former Indian wicketkeeper-batter has acknowledged that KL Rahul had grown hugely behind the stumps, but he added that the demanding nature of keeping in the longest format of the game could prove to be a setback for the talented Karnataka star.

Dinesh Karthik explains why KL Rahul is no longer India’s go-to wicketkeeper in the Tests

The tag of a part-time wicketkeeper has consistently overshadowed KL Rahul’s talent behind the stumps, but Karthik dismissed the argument, emphasizing the Indian star’s history of injuries. He said that for Rahul, the main worry is the physical demands of keeping wickets in Test cricket.

With the grind of five-day cricket already beginning to have its effect on Rahul's body, especially his back, Karthik said that Rahul's health will be compromised if he starts keeping wickets full-time in Test cricket.

Karthik feels the workload of wicketkeeping in a Test match will be a different task from white-ball cricket, and it may not be the best long-term option for Rahul. With his past injury woes, Karthik feels that Indian cricket team management would be practical in safeguarding the physical well-being of Rahul by sticking to his batting abilities.

KL Rahul will succeed this season as a hitter: Dinesh Karthik

However, the former wicketkeeper is confident that Rahul has a great career in India's Test team, but his actual success will come with the bat in his hand, not with wicketkeeper gloves in the traditional format of the game.

Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz: “KL Rahul has made significant progress and is a very competent goalie. I don’t think it’s appropriate to refer to him as a part-time wicketkeeper any longer. In five days, keeping in Test cricket is hard work, and he’s had his struggles with injuries.

In the long run, he needs to take care of his back. Therefore, I don’t think it’s appropriate to give him the keeping slot. However, I firmly believe he will succeed this season as a hitter and make it.”

KL Rahul will always be in the shadows of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli: Aakash Chopra

Earlier, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra also said that Rahul won’t be considered the wicketkeeper-batter by the national selectors in Tests. He said that Rahul will always be in the shadow of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Chopra said on his YouTube channel: “I personally like KL Rahul as a player. He will have to score runs. If he keeps scoring runs, he will keep moving forward. His fate is that he will always be in the shadows of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. These are the big guys.

I feel Rahul is super talented and super skilled. He will keep playing until he keeps scoring runs. Although the team rates him very high, an atmosphere gets created against him very quickly in Indian cricket.”

Notably, Rahul will be seen in action in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.