Former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel defended his views on KL Rahul being the wicketkeeper for IND vs SA Tests and explained how it would help first-class wicketkeepers. Upset over Rahul donning the gloves for the red-ball format, Patel had said that a wicketkeeper who has kept in first-class or Ranji games should ideally be considered for the role over a part-time keeper. The swashbuckling batter made his wicketkeeping debut in Tests in the 1st IND vs SA game at the Centurion.
‘Never a doubt’: Ex-cricketer defends views on KL Rahul
Taking to X, Patel explained that his criticism wasn’t directed at KL Rahul and heaped praises on the star, noting that he indeed had a place in the XI for his batting abilities. However, he questioned the precedent this would set for first-class wicketkeepers and how it would devalue their skills. He further said that the youngsters had the incentive only to improve their batting and not their keeping if this trend was followed to get to the national side.
