IND vs BAN: "It's Going To Be KL Rahul Who Would Be Keeping In The World Cup" - Gautam Gambhir Makes A Bold Prediction

Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir said that KL Rahul will be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in the much-awaited ODI World Cup 2023 at home. Gautam Gambhir emphasized that KL Rahul has taken on the wicketkeeping duties since his comeback with the Indian team.

KL Rahul made his comeback in international cricket during the Super Four match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023. The right-handed batter was included in the playing XI after Shreyas Iyer was ruled out of the match. He played brilliant knocks in the middle order in the last two games.

KL Rahul Has Kept Wickets – Gautam Gambhir

Speaking to Star Sports, Gautam Gambhir said that Ishan Kishan would have taken on the wicketkeeping duties if he were the first choice in India’s playing XI for the upcoming World Cup.

“I think the team management has made it very close that it’s going to be KL Rahul who would be keeping in the World Cup because there was Ishan Kishan,” Gambhir told Star Sports.

“If Kishan was in the scheme of things of playing on the 11th against Australia, then he would have kept wickets for India because he was the main wicket-keeper, but now in the last two games, KL Rahul has kept wickets,” he added.

The 31-year-old scored an unbeaten 111 runs against Pakistan in his comeback game, followed by 39 runs off 44 balls against Sri Lanka in challenging batting conditions. He also impressed with his wicketkeeping duties, taking some good catches behind the wicket.

The Number Five Position Is Now Open – Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir believes that the number five batting position in the Indian cricket team is now open, suggesting Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya can bat at the position.

“So the number five position is now open. Whether Shreyas Iyer comes into it, whether they play Suryakumar at seven and Hardik at five or Jadeja at five, now KL Rahul has secured that number four spot as a wicketkeeper-batsman,” he further added.

“So, it is pretty much clear, which is good for Indian cricket that they have backed KL Rahul as a wicketkeeper now and who’s batting at number four,” the former Indian opener concluded.

Shreyas Iyer was part of India’s playing XI in the first two matches of the ongoing Asia Cup. However, he missed the next two games due to back spasms. He could make his comeback in the next match against Bangladesh in Colombo on Friday, September 15.

Also read: IND vs BAN: “The Next Time We Play, We Will Go After Him” – KL Rahul Fires Massive Warning To Dunith Wellalage