Former India coach Ravi Shastri has backed KL Rahul to cement his spot as the wicket-keeper batsman for the World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval in June, saying his presence will help the team’s batting. line-up’ will be strong.
Rahul has a decent record in England but poor form saw him dropped from the playing XI after the first two Tests against Australia at home. The 30-year-old Karnataka player, however, made a spectacular comeback by playing an unbeaten 75-run match-winning innings against Australia in the first ODI on Friday night.
Shastri feels that Rahul can play as a wicket-keeper batsman in the WTC final as KS Bharat could not perform well in the absence of Rishabh Pant. Shastri told ‘Star Sports’, “He (KL) has done really well, which will keep the selectors interested in him before the WTC final.” ,
He said, “There are two things. For the first ODI series when Rohit Sharma will return and for the second WTC final, in which if Rahul does wicketkeeper then his batting will be strong. ,
Shastri said, “Rahul can bat in the middle order (number five and six). In England, you usually have to do wicketkeeping from a little behind. You do not have to apply more spinners. He (KL) has two more ODIs before the IPL. He can secure his place in that Indian team by performing well in these. ,
Rahul has scored 614 runs in nine Tests in England with two centuries and one half-century. India has qualified for the WTC final to be held in June in which the team will face Australia. This will be India’s second WTC final. India was defeated by New Zealand in the 2021 final.
