KL Rahul Should Continue As A Wicketkeeper-Batter For India In ICC World Cup 2023 - Saba Karim
Published - 27 Sep 2023, 06:03 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:19 AM
Former Indian cricketer Saba Karim believes that KL Rahul should keep stumps for the team in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Saba Karim emphasised that KL Rahul brings stability to the middle order with his capability of performing against top-quality bowling attacks.
KL Rahul took on a wicketkeeping role in the Asia Cup 2023 despite returning from an injury layoff. The right-handed batter continues to keep the wickets in the ODI series against Australia. He is seemed to be India’s preferred wicketkeeper-batter in the World Cup 2023.
KL Rahul Brings In A Lot Of Stability – Saba Karim
In an interview with The Times of India, Saba Karma highlighted KL Rahul‘s flawless wicketkeeping and how it has complemented his batting.
“KL should continue as a wicketkeeper batter. I have always maintained that being an all-rounder helps you to grow as a person and helps you to grow as a cricketer. And I see that happening with KL Rahul,” Karim told TOI.
“With the gloves behind the stumps, he’s been flawless and it has helped his batting also to blossom. Both of his skills complement each other. The way KL Rahul batted against Pakistan, after such a long layoff, was wonderful to watch.”
“He brings in a lot of stability in the middle order. Against top quality attack, you expect KL Rahul to do well. He is equally good against spin bowling.
“He uses his feet very well. He has a number of shots that he can execute during the middle overs, plus his confidence has grown as a wicketkeeper. I believe that he should continue as the wicketkeeper batter for India.”
We Do Have A Capable Replacement – Saba Karim
Saba Karim acknowledged that Rishabh Pant’s absence due to injury is unfortunate but noted that the left-handed batter hadn’t been part of India’s white-ball setup. However, Karim said that Pant has the talent to be a valuable all-format player for India.
“That’s kind of uncontrollable. Because of injury, Rishabh has been missing out. But having said that, I don’t think in the recent past, Rishabh Pant was part of the one-day setup or white-ball setup for India,” Karim further added.
“But I do believe Rishabh had the right kind of talent to come back into the side and he can always be a different all-format player.
“Rishabh brings in a different kind of energy altogether on the field and he is one match-winner who was unearthed after so many years. It is unfortunate that Rishabh is missing out, but we do have a capable replacement who should do the job for India.”
Rishabh Pant has been out of action since December last year and is currently recovering from the injuries sustained during the accident. The southpaw is expected to return to the field next year.
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ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 ICC ODI World Cup 2023 India National Cricket Team KL Rahul Rishabh Pant Saba KarimAbout the Author
Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla... Read more
