KL Rahul will reportedly abstain from wicketkeeping duties in the upcoming England Tests, as per The Indian Express, with Team India citing the need for a specialist keeper against the English team.
In the lineup selected by the Ajit Agarkar-led committee for the initial two Tests against England, three wicketkeepers find a spot, with KL Rahul, who has taken up wicketkeeping duties since the Asia Cup last year, joined by KS Bharat and the uncapped Dhruv Jurel. Although Rahul has predominantly kept wickets in white-ball cricket and also did so in the two Tests in South Africa, India is set to host England for a five-Test series with Rahul exclusively focused on his batting, leaving the wicketkeeping duties to Srikar Bharat.
As per The Indian Express, Team India communicated to the BCCI and selectors that Rahul will not take up wicketkeeping against England, emphasizing the need for a specialist keeper, particularly considering the expected turner-friendly conditions.
“The Indian team will be playing on a turner track, and the team management felt that specialist spinners should handle the job at home. The team has many quality spinners, and the team won’t take any chances, especially when the pitch being offered will be a turner,” The Indian Express quoted a source from the BCCI as saying.
With the spinners expected to shoulder the primary workload, the team management has also opted for a rotation policy for the pacers, intending to rest them strategically across the five games to manage their workload effectively.
The selected fast bowlers include Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, and Avesh Khan. However, the fitness status of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami remains uncertain, as he has yet to regain full fitness and resume bowling at his usual intensity.
Last Updated on January 14, 2024
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