During India’s visit to South Africa, veteran cricketer KL Rahul was keeping wickets for the very first time during a Test series. However, it has been claimed that Rahul has been relieved of the duty. Even though Rahul’s skills behind the stumps astonished many, it is rumoured that he would not be deployed in the upcoming Test series.
India is scheduled to play the five-match Test series against England starting later this month. The team management and the selection committee of the Indian Cricket Board are considering KS Bharat. He might play as a specialist wicket-keeper in Team India’s next game. KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel had been picked for the wicket-keeping position when the Indian Cricket Board revealed the team for the first two Test matches against England. The latter was given his first-ever Test call-up.
As per a Times of India article, the Indian Cricket Board has selected a pair of specialists for the task. This is because they believe Rahul is not the best choice for the wicket-keeper position on home wickets that are conducive to spin.
The Indian Cricket Board said, “Rahul will play as a specialist batter from now on. While in overseas Tests you just have to stand back to the pacers, wicketkeeping in India, where spinners operate in tandem, isn’t easy. The ball can bounce or spin viciously on the spin-friendly home wickets. You’ve to keep moving up and down as a keeper. We want a specialist in that role.”
“Bharat and Jurel will be our wicketkeepers” : Sources
The source added, “Rahul, on the other hand, is one of our most valuable batting assets. We don’t want to burn him out by making him do the glovework as well. There is also the chance of him catching an injury while standing behind the stumps, which we can’t afford. Bharat and Jurel will be our wicketkeepers in this series.
The Indian Cricket Board source added, “Jurel is a talented keeper-bat. We’ve been tracking this 22-year-old since the time he was playing for India in the U-19 team.”
Fans react as reports claim KL Rahul to play as specialist batter during England Test series: –
KS Bharat will be India's wicketkeeper in the England Test series.
KL Rahul will play as a specialist batter. (Indian Express). pic.twitter.com/dosaiVc1Vu
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 14, 2024
We are missing rishabh pant
— ADIfications (@adi_fications) January 14, 2024
That means Iyer will be out from playing 11. Iyer performance maybe worse in SENA condition but he is good player of spin and play good in spinning condition
— Kirkett (@bhaskar_sanu08) January 14, 2024
KS Bharat will be India's wicketkeeper in the England Test series.???? pic.twitter.com/vldXTpHqjB
— Priyanka (@Pinky209E) January 14, 2024
So far, Saha has been better than Bharat w.r.t batting & the glove work. Kona never looked assured while batting. Hope he proves his naysayers wrong this time around.
— Lokesh (@Myself_Lokesh) January 14, 2024
KS Bharat likely to keep wickets releasing KL Rahul during India-England Test series, hinting towards turning wickets.
— Nirmal Roy (@nroy11) January 14, 2024
KS Bharat is good India's wicketkeeper
— Ritoo S (@Ritoobbc) January 14, 2024
Fabulous pic.twitter.com/uFxsjWDZzg
— arooo??? (@missimperfect50) January 14, 2024
King
— Ritoo S (@Ritoobbc) January 14, 2024
Good morning India walu from Pakistan
— Abu Sufyan (@AbuSufy646) January 14, 2024
Not a good decision
— Abdul ?? (@RolexbhaisirSir) January 14, 2024
