KL Rahul Ready To Do Wicket-Keeping In The Next Three World Cups For India

Superstar opening batsman, KL Rahul is not perturbed by the prospect of becoming India’s permanent wicket-keeper in limited-overs cricket.

It all started when Rishabh Pant suffered a concussion against Australia in January in the first ODI against Australia. Rahul, the back-up keeper, took the gloves for the next two ODIs. Pant, who later became fit for selection was dropped from the limited-overs team due to his inconsistent form.

KL Rahul was asked to do the keeping duties in New Zealand. Rahul didn’t disappoint as a keeper and took his batting to a higher level. In the T20I series, he averaged 56, and in the ODI series, he averaged a mammoth 102.

With Rahul keeping and cementing his spot in the white-ball eleven – opener in T20Is and at number 5 in ODIs -meant that Virat Kohli could bring in an extra batsman or a bowler. The right-hander ended the IPL 2020 as the leading run-scorer of the tournament and is set to feature in Australia.

He has also been recalled to the Test team. Virat Kohli will miss the last three Test and uncertainties around Rohit Sharma’s fitness will make KL Rahul an even more vital player for the Indian team.

I would love to keep in the World Cups: KL Rahul

Rahul has opined that his wicket-keeping adds to the balance of the team as they can play an extra batsman or a bowler. The Karnataka batsman is ready to do whatever role the management asks from him, and he would love to don the gloves for his country in the three upcoming World Cups as well.

Speaking to PTI, KL Rahul said, “It helps the team combination a little more and it’s something I would love to do…if the opportunity presents itself and I can keep in three World Cups, I would love to do it for my country,”

“I think for me, we are just taking one game at a time. So if I put up consistent performances with bat and gloves, it gives us an option of playing an extra bowler or an extra batter.”

He talked about the tour of New Zealand earlier in the year where he batted at number 5 in ODIs. Rahul enjoyed to bits in that series. The 28-year-old wishes to become a better keeper so that he can give useful information about the batsman and conditions to the bowlers.

Rahul said, “Obviously, the last ODI series (against New Zealand) that we played, I batted at no.5, it’s a role that I have enjoyed and (I am) happy to play whatever role the team gives me,”

“I did one series in New Zealand and quite enjoyed it and hopefully I can be better at reading the game and give bowlers and captains some good feedback for the bowlers and the captain,” the opener added.

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