IND vs AUS: Ravi Shastri Backs KL Rahul To Play In WTC Final
Former India player turned head coach Ravi Shastri has backed KL Rahul to play as a wicketkeeper-batter in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 Final against Australia as well. However, Australia and India have officially qualified for the ICC World Test Championship final match. The final of the marquee event is all set to be held at The Oval in London from June 7 to 11.
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However, India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in Test cricket, Rishabh Pant, has been ruled out of action for an indefinite time after he faced a horrific road accident last December while driving. In his absence, KS Bharat kept wickets for India in the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023.
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However, KS Bharat, who was selected ahead of Ishan Kishan, failed to perform well with the bat in the four-match series and he also missed several chances behind the stumps as well. Overall, he scored 101 runs in 4 matches which came at an average of 20.2, with the best score of 44. And, Ravi Shastri was very impressed with the keeping skills of KL Rahul in the first ODI against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai as well.
“He has really done well to keep the selectors interested ahead of the WTC final” – Ravi Shastri on KL Rahul
He also backed KL Rahul to make his Test return and bat in the middle-order while keeping wickets in WTC 2023 final as well.
“He has really done well to keep the selectors interested ahead of the WTC final,” Ravi Shastri said on air for Star Sports during the first ODI.
“Two things, one for the ODI series when Rohit Sharma returns and the other for the WTC final. India can bolster their batting if Rahul can keep wickets. Rahul can bat in the middle-order No. 5 or No. 6. in England, you have to generally keep wickets from far behind. You don’t have to keep up to the spinners a lot. He has 3 more ODIs to go before the IPL. He can cement his place in that Indian team,” he further added.
It is also noteworthy that, KL Rahul was removed from the vice-captaincy role in Test cricket and he was also dropped from the playing XI after the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023. Shubman Gill replaced KL Rahul and joined Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, opening innings for the country as well.
