Former Indian cricketer Parthiv criticized Team India head coach Rahul Dravid after he all but confirmed that KL Rahul will keep the team’s wickets. South Africa Evidence. The former wicketkeeper-batsman was not happy with the decision.
The Test series between India and South Africa will begin from December 26 in Centurion. All eyes will be on the visitors as to which combination they will play in the game. It will be a chance for them to write history and win their first Test series on South African soil.
As for goalkeepers, India have two in KL Rahul and KS Bharat. The latter was added to the team after Ishan Kishan pulled out of the series, citing mental fatigue. Bharat is unlikely to get a chance, especially with Rahul there.
Indian head coach Rahul Dravid also confirmed that KL Rahul will keep wickets in the two games. For the first time, the wicketkeeper-batsman will don gloves in the longest format of the game. He has played as an opening batsman so far and it will also be the first time that he will bat in the middle order while doing wicketkeeping duties.
Parthiv Patel did not like the idea of KL Rahul keeping wickets in Tests for the South Africa series. He pointed out that in the Test matches, the team should have preferred the wicketkeeper who regularly plays the role in the Ranji Trophy. Taking X account of him, he explained:
“India’s test match wicket-keeper should be someone who regularly makes it in ranji trophy or first-class cricket…”
India’s test match wicket keeper should be someone who regularly holds in ranji trophy or first class cricket….#In my humble opinion #INDvSA #indiancricket
– parthiv patel (@parthiv9) December 24, 2023
KL Rahul has been keeping wickets for India in the ODIs and it is fair to say that he has played that role exceptionally well. He was also the team’s goalkeeper in the 2023 World Cup and many, including the team’s coaches, praised his heroics behind the stumps.
KL Rahul showed magnificent work behind the gloves in the tournament and what was impressive was his DRS calls. He made almost all the right decisions and his calmness behind the stumps was one of the main reasons for his success.
IND vs SA: KL Rahul is very confident in trying – Rahul Dravid in wicketkeeper-batsman
The Indian head coach, while talking about KL Rahul staying in the Test against South Africa, said that it will be an opportunity for the batsman to do something different. He highlighted the amount of hard work he has put in and added that continuing to bowl will make the role easier for him. Speaking to reporters, he explained:
“It is an exciting challenge. It’s an opportunity for him to do something different. Since Ishan was not available, we had a couple of goalkeepers to choose from. Rahul is very confident in giving it a try. We understand that he hasn’t done it very often (in the longer format), but he has done it in fifty overs, and even that is difficult.
“It has held up a lot in the last five or six months. One of the things here is that there is more pace in bowling than spin, which will make the role easier for him. We’ll see how it develops. “It’s good to have someone like him, someone who has the ability with the bat and possession.”
KL Rahul was last seen in action during the ODI series against South Africa. He captained the team and led them to a 2-1 victory in the three-match series.
