KL Rahul has decided to take up wicket-keeping full-time even in Tests in South Africa Tour. The talented batter has been looking to make his place in the Indian playing XI permanent in all formats. While no one has any kind of doubt over his ability, talent and skills, his temperament has been a matter of big concern.
Selectors, his fans and team members have shown huge faith in him despite his lackluster performances in big match situations. KL Rahul had to face huge amount of criticism for his performances, trolls and abuses on social media. In the recently concluded CWC 2023, he has decided to become a middle-order batter in ODIs and a regular wicket-keeper.
Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, KS Bharat kind off regular keepers and capable batters are gunning for that spot in Tests and ODIs, T20Is. But KL Rahul becoming a wicket-keeper batter gives Indian team a chance at adding one more batter or one more bowler into the team for the balance. And South Africa tests will be a huge test about the same for the cricketer.
As a batter, he has come good in the first innings of on-going Test Series. In the First Test at Centurion, India lost Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill early. KL Rahul had to form partnerships with lower order batters, tail-enders to give team a good total in the first innings. Especially, after set Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli fell for low scores.
He played exceptionally well to score a fighting century. He scored 101 from 137 balls against fiery South African attack. India has been able to score decent 245 in the first innings, because of his histrionics. After Rishabh Pant, he became the second wicket-keeper batter to score a century in South Africa. Indian bowlers have huge task ahead them to restrict South Africa for minimalistic total in first innings.