KL Rahul will not be playing wicketkeeper as Rahul Dravid revealed on Tuesday. Rather than that, he will be a specialist batsman in the forthcoming five-match Test series against England. Dravid said that Dhruv Jurel, who will be called up for the first time in a Test match, and K.S. Bharat are the two candidates for wicket-keeping responsibilities.
Rahul Dravid said “Rahul will not be playing as a wicketkeeper in this series, and we are clear about that in the selection itself. We have picked two other wicketkeepers, and obviously, Rahul did a fantastic job for us in South Africa and really played a big part in helping us draw the series. But considering five Test matches and playing in these conditions, the selection will be between the two other keepers we have.”
“I learned to bowl through first-class cricket” : Jasprit Bumrah
Despite being skilled and deadly in all three game types, Jasprit Bumrah feels that “Test cricket is king.” The most accomplished seamer in the Indian team for the England Test series, which begins on January 25, is Bumrah. Bumrah has appeared in a mere four games at home, despite having taken 140 wickets in 32 Test matches.
When Bumrah faces England, it will be his second appearance since recovering from the stress fracture. He claimed 12 wickets in the first Test, which was contested in South Africa. Among them was a match-winning 6/61 which assisted India take the Cape Town Test and tie the series at one.
The Team India bowler spoke to the Guardian about importance of Test cricket. He said, “I am of that generation where Test cricket is king. I will always judge myself on it. Yes, I started with IPL, but I learned to bowl through first-class cricket; that’s where I developed my skill, the art of taking wickets. In Test cricket you have to get the batsman out and that challenges you as a bowler.”
Fans react as Rahul Dravid confirms that KL Rahul won’t keep wickets against England: –
Rahul Dravid confirms KL Rahul won't keep wickets in the England Test series. [Sportstar] pic.twitter.com/quYMaRDJE5
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 23, 2024
What will he do then?
He doesn’t score runs
He doesn’t do wicket keeping— Gurmeet Singh (@VK18THEGOAT) January 23, 2024
Pant not fit yet ?
— Samira (@Logical_Girll) January 23, 2024
As expected, KL Rahul will play as a specialist Batsman. Now fight Between Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill.
— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) January 23, 2024
KS Bharat ? pic.twitter.com/46a0Jzcu2E
— Swapnil Vats (@iamswapnilvats) January 23, 2024
India expected playing 11 for first test-
Rohit
Jaiswal
Gill
Iyer
Rahul
Bharat
Jadeja
Axar
Ashwin
Siraj
Bumrah— Kirkett (@bhaskar_sanu08) January 23, 2024
Good to see they are going for a new player.
— Karthik (@vsk_says) January 23, 2024
Focus on batting
— Niks (@NikhilP2601) January 23, 2024
KL Rahul hundred loading ???
— HAFEEZ KHAN (@HAFEEZK51158740) January 23, 2024
KL Rahul's is not a great wicket keeper either, no doubt about the battling skills though.#INDvsENG
— IK@BABAR (@ahmed_ikhlaq16) January 23, 2024
Virat Kohli missing to test match personal reason ??
— Rahul Meena (@Rahulm_01) January 23, 2024
Oh, that's strange news about KL Rahul! It seems like he won't be keeping wickets in the England Test series.?
— NAZIA (@Nazia2229) January 23, 2024
