Nobody Can Fill The Place Of MS Dhoni: KL Rahul

KL Rahul, India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman in white-ball cricket, believes that former stumper MS Dhoni has set the bar so high that nobody can fill his place in the team.

MS Dhoni retired from international cricket after a celebrated 16-year-old career on Independence Day, leaving a gaping hole in the Indian white-ball set-up.

KL Rahul, who took over the role of the first-choice keeper from Rishabh Pant earlier this year, feels that MSD has shown the way to wicketkeeper-batsman on how to do the role perfectly during his stellar career, and he feels he can do the same in the long run. However, Rahul maintained that he still has a long way to go in his new avatar.

”Look, obviously nobody can fill the place of MS Dhoni, he has shown the way to the wicket-keeper batsman on how to do the role perfectly, I think I will probably go and give the spinners the feedback regarding what length can be bowled on different wickets. Wicket-keepers have this responsibility, and I have done this job in one series in New Zealand, so hopefully, I can do the same going ahead,” KL Rahul said during a virtual press conference on Thursday.

‘Nothing has been told to me’- KL Rahul on his future as a wicketkeeper-batsman

The white-ball series against Australia marks the start of an important three-year period for the Men in Blue, given the fact that two of the next three World Cups- T20 World Cup in 2021 and 2023 50-over World Cup- are set to take place in India.

India will be looking to break their drought as far as winning championships is concerned but KL Rahul maintained that the team is currently focussing on the present. Rahul also added if he can deliver consistent performances in his role as a wicketkeeper-batsman, then it will help the team play an extra batsman or bowler depending on the situation. He, however, added that nothing has been communicated to him by the team-management as to whether he will continue in his role as a wicketkeeper-batsman in the long run.

“Nothing has been told to me, we as a team are not thinking that far ahead, World Cups are important, that is the long vision for every team but I think for me, we are still taking it one game at a time, and if I keep putting consistent performances as a keeper and batsman, it gives us the choice of playing an extra batter or bowler. If I can keep in the coming three World Cups, I would love to do it for my country,” KL Rahul reckoned.

The first ODI of the three-match series between India and Australia will take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday, November 27.

Also Read- My Batting Position Will Depend On The Format: KL Rahul