KL Rahul will return as a wicketkeeper in IPL 2024. With Nicholas Pooran and Quinton De Kock present in Lucknow Super Giants side, there were doubts whether Rahul would don the big gloves. However, as KL Rahul’s only hope to make it to India Cricket Team for T20 World Cup 2024 as a keeper-batter, LSG head coach Justin Langer has hinted at his return as the keeper.
“If the team does well, everyone gets rewarded. If KL can captain LSG to IPL title, that means he would have captained well, batted well and kept wickets well,” Justin Langer said in season-opening press conference on Wednesday.
Why wicketkeeping only option for KL Rahul?
KL Rahul lost his place in the India T20I team due to poor run of form. Jitesh Sharma has emerged as a great option at No 6.
But after an excellent World Cup 2023 with the big gloves, KL Rahul is back in the reckoning in T20 World Cup 2024. He even made his keeping debut in Tests in South Africa.
No spots in Top 5
With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli taking up two spots in the top order, and Suryakumar Yadav as No 4, India do not have any spots open in Top 5.
Hence, KL Rahul will have to fight for a spot in the middle-order at No 5 or No 6 — a spot dedicated for wicketkeeper.
“Rahul will not be considered for a top three slot in the Indian T20 team considering his previous performances. He can be that keeper-batter at Nos 5 or 6 if he has a decent IPL. But if he plays purely as a batter, you have a far better option in Rinku Singh, apart from Rishabh Pant, who might just stake a claim with some power-packed performances,” a BCCI source told PTI.
IPL 2024 News
Race for keepers in T20 World Cup
- Jitesh Sharma
- Ishan Kishan
- Sanju Samson
- KL Rahul
- Dhruv Jurel
If Rahul impresses with keeping skills in IPL 2024, he might join the keeping race. However, Rahul will not keep wickets initially. He has been advised against squatting initially after suffering quadriceps injury.
However, the road won’t be smooth for KL Rahul either. He will be competing with Jitesh Sharma, who seems to be the favourite. There is also Sanju Samson apart from Ishan Kishan and Dhruv Jurel, who impressed in the IND vs ENG Test series.
With Rishabh Pant returning in IPL 2024, he could be back in the mix if he keeps wickets as well.
