Anjum Chopra Backs KL Rahul To Keep Stumps Ahead Of Ishan Kishan In ICC World Cup 2023

Former women’s cricketer Anjum Chopra shared her insights into India’s preferred wicketkeeper-batter for the ICC World Cup 2023. Anjum Chopra emphasized that it would be challenging to accommodate both KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan in the playing XI.

KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan are the two designated wicketkeeper-batters in India’s squad for the World Cup. Rahul has been the preferred choice as the wicketkeeper in recent times. However, Kishan’s explosive batting abilities make him a strong contender for the role.

They’re Back Backing KL Rahul – Anjum Chopra

In a conversation with The Times of India, Anjum Chopra highlighted the challenge of accommodating both KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan in the playing XI. Chopra also pointed out that Surya Kumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer are competing for a place.

“It’s very clear from the Indian team management’s perspective that they’re backing KL Rahul to keep the wickets and also be the front-runner as a keeper batter, but that’s one part of it,” Anjum Chopra told TOI.

“I think if you can get both Ishan and KL it’ll be ideal, but then somebody will need to miss out. So, pick and choose will be between Surya Kumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer. Playing another extra bowler will be a reason too. It’ll be difficult to squeeze both (Ishan and KL) in.”

Ishan Kishan kept the wicketkeeping in the first two matches of the Asia Cup 2023. However, KL Rahul took over the wicketkeeping rules after making a comeback against Pakistan. Rahul continued with the role in the recent ODI series against Australia.

KL Rahul’s Impressive Stats In Middle Order

KL Rahul began his international career as an opener in white-ball formats. The right-handed batter had to move to the middle order, as the top order was well established. Additionally, he took on the added role of wicketkeeper due to Rishabh Pant’s absence.

The Karnataka batter scored 1288 runs in 34 matches at an average of 53.66 and a strike rate of 94.35 while batting in the middle order (positions No. 4 and 5). This year, he amassed 453 runs at an impressive average of 75.50, including three centuries and eight half-centuries.

India World Cup Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav

Also read: KL Rahul Playfully Warns Friends And Family For World Cup 2023 Tickets, Says ‘I Am Not Going To Respond’