Indian batsman KL Rahul has proved to a point to all and has made sure he is here to stay. In the second ODI, when he kept wickets as regular wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant was concussed, comparisons with legendary Rahul Dravid were drawn.
Harsha Bhogle had even told the same when KL Rahul won the Man of the Match award in the second clash.
Talking about the comparisons, KL had said, “It’s great to be compared with someone like him. I had this comparison for a long time when growing up and playing as well. The names – he’s Rahul Dravid and I’m Rahul – so the comparisons always been there and he’s someone I have spent a lot of time with talking about cricket, talking about batting and he’s coming from the same state as well (Karnataka)”.
Now after India's 2-1 series victory over Australia, skipper Virat Kohli has said that he will persist with KL Rahul as wicketkeeper-batsman.
Kohli said that Rahul provides balance to the side and he even compared the scenario to the time when Dravid had kept wickets for India in World Cup 2003.
“It (Rahul’s keeping) definitely allows us to play an extra batsman which strengthens our batting massively. That is a very important factor as far as the team balance is concerned. If you look at the 2003 World Cup when Rahul bhai started keeping, the balance became different because you could play an extra batter and guys at the top could really play positive cricket,” Kohli said.
Rahul continued to play as a wicketkeeper-batsman in the 3rd ODI despite Rishabh Pant being declared fit.
Rahul, who keeps for Kings XI Punjab and his state in Ranji Trophy matches - didn’t commit any blunders behind the stumps in Pant’s absence.
“I think lack of clarity in terms of positions has really hurt us in the past. Now that we understand that this feels right, we will go ahead with that for a while and figure out if this is the right thing to do or not. You cannot chip and change immediately and create confusion among the group. It (Rahul’s keeping) definitely allows us to play an extra batsman which strengthens our batting massively. That is a very important factor as far as the team balance is concerned,” he said, hinting that Rishabh Pant might be on the bench for a while.
Not just keeping, Rahul even batted at three different positions in three ODIs.
“Look, he is very open to playing anywhere because he is a proper batsman and can do you good in any format and any position in the game. He won’t go slam bang from ball one but he can do what he did in Rajkot playing good cricketing shots. So I think a solid game plan and understanding of his game is helping him,” Kohli said, lauding Rahul for his recent performances.
