Aakash Chopra Says KL Rahul Should Not Keep Wickets In Test Cricket

The last few months before cricket suspension had been a dream time for KL Rahul. From staying on the sidelines and playing intermittently, KL Rahul fixed his spot in India’s limited-overs side through his vital knocks against Australia and New Zealand. As a wicketkeeper, the right-handed batsman successfully grabbed Rishabh Pant’s place too. However, according to Aakash Chopra, he shouldn’t do the same in Tests.

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As consistent as KL Rahul has proved himself in white-ball cricket in recent times, he hasn’t been in the longest version. The 28-year-old faced an axe midway in the Test series in Australia in 2018. He received the nod in West Indies last year during which the keeper-batsman could manage only 101 runs in two Tests at 25.25 with a high score of 44. In 36 Tests, Rahul has 2006 runs at 34.59 with five centuries.

Former Indian opening batsman Aakash Chopra believes that wicketkeeping is an essential position and a very specialised job. He cited the example of Kiran More’s dropped catch off Sandeep Sharma’s bowling at Lord’s in 1990. The batsman was captain Graham Gooch scored 333 runs in that innings and 456 for that match. Hence, Aakash rejects the idea of a substitute wicketkeeper, stating a missed stumping or catch could prove very costly.

“You can do anything but don’t it. Wicketkeeping in Test cricket is a very specialised job, you have to be there for over 100 overs. You can ask Sandeep Sharma. Kiran More dropped a catch off Sandeep Sharma’s bowling and he went on to score a 333 runs. If you drop catches and miss stumping it can become a huge issue in Test cricket. Makeshift wicketkeepers in Test is a no.” the former right-handed batsman stated.

I think KL Rahul will have to wait for now: Aakash Chopra

The 42-year-old went on to say that even as a specialist batsman, KL Rahul would have to wait for his chance in Test cricket as there is no spot for a specialised batsman either. As for a keeper’s slot, India must stick with Wriddhiman Saha or Rishabh Pant.

“He is a versatile batsman and can bat anywhere. There is no place in the opening slot. There is no place in the middle-order also. There is that place for wicketkeeping slot only but why would you not play Wriddhiman Saha, what wrong has he done, Why will you not play Rishabh Pant. I think KL Rahul will have to wait for now.” Chopra added.

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