Former India Wicket-Keeper Ajay Ratra Picks KL Rahul As India's First-Choice Gloveman

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Ajay Ratra has named his first-choice gloveman; the national team must proceed with in their tour of Australia. With India having plenty of choice in that department from Ishan Kishan to Wridhhiman Saha, the selectors have faced a happy headache in recent times. Of all other potential candidates, Ajay Ratra has endorsed KL Rahul.

KL Rahul has headed to Australia in what is his third trip to the land down under. It was in Australia that KL Rahul made his international debut and lost his Test spot in the team following a horrid run in the 2018-19 series. At present, the 28-year old has not only earned the vice-captaincy of the limited-overs side but also reclaimed his place in the red-ball squad. It has been on the back of his terrific performances in white-ball cricket in the last few months.

Ajay Ratra mentioned that KL Rahul’s form with the bat makes him an automatic choice currently. Ratra further said that the Karnataka-born cricketer not only maintains flexibility in the batting order but has also done a decent job as a keeper. The former Indian cricketer added that having Rahul in the side allows the management to accommodate an extra all-rounder or bowler in the side, making his case further strong.

“The kind of form that Rahul is in obviously makes him the best option. He is flexible in the batting order, keeping wise also he has done a decent job. Rahul is an asset, he will walk into the Indian ODI and T20I at any point of time. If he keeps then it allows India to play an extra bowler or an all-rounder. So Rahul should be the first choice keeper-batsman in T20I and ODIs,” Ajay Ratra told Hindustan Times.

They definitely have the potential: Ajay Ratra

The 38-year old opined that with KL Rahul having kept wickets at the junior level, shows he is not a makeshift candidate for that role. He went on to say that Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant need more consistency with the bat and indeed have potential. With Samson not standing behind the stumps much in IPL, the Kerala cricketer and Pant are fighting for the second slot.

“Samson needs to be a bit more consistent with the bat. Same is for Pant. They definitely have the potential. Samson didn’t get to keep wickets much in the IPL. But both Samson and Pant are now fighting for the second spot,” he added.

Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav Appreciates Mumbai Indians For Letting The Players Bring Their Families