Watch: KL Rahul Impresses Everyone With His Keeping Skills In the Nets Ahead Of 1st T20I

Updated - 23 Jan 2020, 11:35 PM

KL Rahul
KL Rahul (Credits: BCCI)

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India’s wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul has had a fantastic few months. Shikhar Dhawan’s injury gave him the perfect opportunity to show his mantle and he grabbed it with both hands, quite literally. He has been an exceptional performer for India with the bat in the past few months. But, recently, KL Rahul has grabbed the headlines for a skill that he did not get much chance to show off in international cricket, i.e. Wicket-keeping.

KL Rahul was used as a wicket-keeper when regular keeper Rishabh Pant was injured in the first ODI of the recently concluded India-Australia series. Rahul shifted his batting order and played a match defining knock of 80 runs in the second game and had wonderful last two games with the gloves. His contribution helped India a great deed in in winning the last two games and eventually the series.

Also Read: ICC Announces 11 Qualifying Events For T20 World Cup 2021

KL Rahul Shows Off His Keeping Skills

Speaking to the media before the first game before the first T20I against New Zealand, Captain Kohli made it clear that Rahul will keep the wickets for India in the game. “He’s doing well with gloves and that has given us more stability and we are looking to continue with him for a while,” said Virat Kohli. Now, the official twitter handle of Team India has released a video in which Rahul can be seen showing off his keeping skills facing the likes of world-class pace bowlers including Jasprit Bumrah and Navdeep Saini.

India is now on a month long tour to New Zealand. The men in blue will face the Kiwis in five T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. India’s wicket-keeping options have been exploited by multiple oppositions that the team has faced since MS Dhoni’s departure. In Test cricket, Wriddhiman Saha has been the regular starter for team India.

KL Rahul
KL Rahul (Credits: BCCI)

However, the position in limited overs format has been debatable since Dhoni’s departure from international cricket in 2019. Rishabh Pant has got the majority of the chances but has failed to prove his mark. Dinesh Karthik and Sanju Samson have been the two options that have still not been exploited by the team management. However, KL Rahul is the current favorite after his recent performance. If India wants to lift the ICC World T20 in Australia this year, the team will have to find a solid balance at the earliest or we might witness another ICC trophy slipping from the hands of India.

Also Read: New Zealand Vs India 2020: 1st T20I, Auckland, Preview – India Will Look To Establish Them As A Global Force

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India Tour of New Zealand 2020 Indian National Cricket Team KL Rahul New Zealand Cricket Team Rishabh Pant Sanju Samson Virat Kohli