Gautam Gambhir, a well-known cricket analyst and former opener, claims that KL Rahul stunning return to international play has cemented his place as India’s No. 4 wicketkeeper-batter for the 2018 ODI World Cup. This declaration follows Rahul’s magnificent century against Pakistan in the Asia Cup Super 4 match, which marked his successful comeback following a break caused by injury.
Due to an injury incurred during the Indian Premier League, Rahul had been absent from the game since May. But his perseverance and commitment to his recovery paid off, enabling him to make a remarkable comeback for the Indian squad. Rahul’s century against Pakistan in the key game was essential to India’s triumph over their longtime adversaries.
Ishan Kishan was the primary wicket-keeper for India until the last two games, when KL Rahul took over.
“I think the team management has made it very close that KL Rahul would be keeping in the World Cup because there was Ishan Kishan, and if Kishan was in the scheme of things of playing on the 11th against Australia, then he would have kept, wickets for India,” Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports.
Gambhir also clarified the remaining ambiguity in the Indian batting order, especially at No. 5. Several possibilities are being considered, including the addition of Shreyas Iyer, the placement of Hardik Pandya at number five and Suryakumar Yadav at number seven, and the introduction of Ravindra Jadeja. Gambhir, though, emphasised the importance of supporting KL Rahul at number four as a wicketkeeper-batter.
“As a result, the fifth spot is now available. KL Rahul, a wicketkeeper-batsman, has now locked down the number four place, regardless of whether Shreyas Iyer enters the fray, whether they play Suryakumar at seven and Hardik at five or Jadeja at five. Therefore, it is fairly obvious—which is wonderful for Indian cricket—that they have supported KL Rahul as a wicketkeeper currently and that he is batting at position number four, according to Gambhir.