Colombo: Wicketkeeper batsman KL Rahul is ready to make a comeback in the Asia Cup. However, speculation continues on whether he will get a place in the playing eleven against Pakistan or not. Along with this, there was also a question whether Rahul would be able to keep wickets in the 50 over format or not, but on Friday, Rahul gave a strong reply to his critics and kept wickets in the nets for about 45 minutes.
Rahul is batting very fast in practice and in the nets in match-like conditions at the NCA (National Cricket Academy) but there is speculation about his wicket-keeping. Seeing Rahul’s rigorous wicketkeeping practice at the nets, the chances of his inclusion in the playing eleven for India’s ‘Super Four’ match against Pakistan on Sunday have also increased.
Rahul last played an ODI for India against Australia in Chennai in March this year. Rahul started by standing on the stumps at the Premadasa Stadium and two support staff played the roles of batsman and bowler, practicing wicket-keeping against the spinners. Rahul was made to practice catching the ball going outside the off stump and he continued practicing the entire time without any problem.
The team management might have got a signal from this about Rahul’s recovery from injury. Rahul then concentrated on catching the ball on the leg side. He kept catching the ball without any trouble. After this drill, his stumping ability was also evaluated. Later, Kuldeep Yadav batted and Rahul practiced wicketkeeping against left-handed batsmen.
However, the team management will have to think deeply about including him in the playing XI. In Rahul’s absence, Ishaan Kishan is playing the role of wicket-keeper batsman. Kishan has impressed everyone with four half-centuries in four matches, three against the West Indies and one against Pakistan.
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