IND vs SA: Parthiv Patel Defends Himself After Backlash On Questioning KL Rahul's Place In The Indian Test Team

Former Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has clarified his take on specialist wicketkeeper keeping in Test cricket. He kept the point ahead of the first Test between India and South Africa in Centurion. 

Interestingly, Parthiv Patel was one of the three specialist wicketkeepers during India’s tour to South Africa in 2018. He along with Wriddhiman Saha and KL Rahul were the three keepers in the Test squad. The Indian think tank in recent times has urged KL Rahul to play as a keeper-batsman across three formats for India. The decision was influenced by his good batting skills in the middle-order. 

Parthiv in his tweet on December 24 said that India should have a regular wicketkeeper in the Test side who is also keeping regularly in domestic cricket.

“india’s test match wicketkeeper should be someone who is keeping regularly in Ranji trophy or first-class cricket….#imho #INDvSA #IndianCricket” he tweeted saying. 

india’s test match wicketkeeper should be someone who is keeping regularly in ranji trophy or first class cricket….#imho #INDvSA #IndianCricket

— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) December 24, 2023

Also Read: IND vs SA: Watch – ‘Frustrated’ Marco Jansen Sledges KL Rahul; India Batter Replies With Smile

Parthiv Patel Clarifies His Point On Specialist Wicketkeepers

Unfortunately, the former Indian wicketkeeper had to face a lot of backlash for his comments on social media. The fans targeted him saying that despite him being a wicketkeeper he missed easy catches as a keeper as well.

The former Indian wicketkeeper now in an elaborated tweet has clarified his stance on the matter saying that he has no problems with KL Rahul being the keeper-batsman. 

“My point wasn’t about KL Rahul. He could well be an option to make it in the line up as a batter. There was never a doubt about his batting ability.

But what message does this send to the keepers plying their trade in the FC circuit, when you devalue the skill to fit in an…

— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) December 26, 2023

“My point wasn’t about KL Rahul. He could well be an option to make it in the line up as a batter. There was never a doubt about his batting ability” Parthiv wrote in his tweet. 

He further said in his tweet that this move by the selectors sends the wrong message to the many keepers who are grinding it out in domestic cricket trying to better their skills as a gloveman. he further said that a regular wicketkeeper in domestic cricket should be given the first preference as a keeper in the Test team as well. 

“But what message does this send to the keepers plying their trade in the FC circuit, when you devalue the skill to fit in an extra batter? Our Ranji keepers have more incentive to improve their batting than their keeping, if they follow the trend that leads you to the national side” Parthiv added in his tweet. 

KL Rahul Bats India Out Of Trouble On Day 1

KL Rahul and KS Bharat are the two keepers in this Indian Test squad for the South Africa series. Ishan Kishan was the third keeper but he opted out of the series due to mental fatigue. Rishabh Pant who was India’s designated Test keeper before he met with the accident is yet to recover completely and hence out of the Test side. 

Speaking about KL Rahul, he is unbeaten on 70 as India ended day 1 on 208/8 in 59 overs before bad light and rain played spoilsport. Virat Kohli (38), Shreyas Iyer (31) and Shardul Thakur (24) were the other key scorers for India.

For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada picked up a fifer his first against India. Nandre Burger on his Test debut picked up a couple of wickets and Marco Jansen after an expensive spell picked up 1/52. Gerald Coetzee remained wicketless on day 1.

 Also Read: IND vs SA: Irfan Pathan Shocked At Virat Kohli’s Exclusion From ‘Star Sports’ 2023 Test Team Of The Year’