Ahead of the 1st IND vs SA Test, head coach Rahul Dravid confirmed that KL Rahul will be the side’s wicketkeeper. Doubts lingered over who would be India’s first-choice keeper for the red-ball format of the game, with KS Bharat and KL Rahul being the two choices.
KL Rahul to debut as keeper in IND vs SA 1st Test
Confirming India’s decision, Dravid said in a pre-match press conference that they had spoken with Rahul and that he was confident of keeping wickets for the 1st Test. The head coach added that the wicketkeeper-batsman had already donned the gloves in the 50 overs format and that it wasn’t any easy task.
Dravid added that there would be more pace bowling than spin and that hence Rahul would ease into the new role. The head coach noted that the keeper-batsman was excited for the challenge, adding that he has agreed to try it out and has been putting in the hard work in the nets.
This will mark KL’s debut as a wicketkeeper for India in Tests. After leading the side to a historic series win against the Proteas in the ODIs, Rahul will now be a part of the Test side which is also eyeing history.