2,642 runs at an average of 33.44 in 47 matches: KL Rahul is definitely not among the best in the business in Test cricket. But then again, four of his seven centuries have come in Australia, England and South Africa, making it a stat to boast about. And that mixed bag has made it a difficult choice for the selectors. Should he be on India’s Test side or shouldn’t be? With the squad for the IND vs SA Test series announced on Thursday, selectors included him in the squad with a caution. He will have to keep wickets on the India tour of South Africa.
With no Rishabh Pant around and other wicketkeepers failing to make a mark in Tests, is that desperation or a calculated risk?
It’s a strong message to KL Rahul: If you have to play in Tests, play as a wicketkeeper or else, there will be no place.
Selectors did show leniency considering how well he batted in Centurion on last the South Africa tour. But KL Rahul is now in a make-or-break situation with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad waiting in the wings apart from Rishabh Pant making a recovery.
The KL Rahul dilemma
An opener with an average of 34.95 in 75 innings. KL Rahul won’t be proud of that stat. But his classy knocks in Lord’s, Sydney, Oval and Centurion show what he is capable of. At home, KL Rahul has had a decent run, averaging 40.13 including a century and eight fifties in 25 innings.
However, it’s not something to break down the door, late alone claim a leadership role. However, KL Rahul has steadily grown into a leader in the group and even claimed captaincy in Virat Kohli’s absence in South Africa for a match.
And that creates the dilemma.
Still unsure of what his role could be, chief selector Ajit Agarkar has sent a clear message to KL Rahul in IND vs SA Test series. KL Rahul will have to keep wickets to retain his place in the Test side.
For his part, Rahul has had a good run behind the stumps in the World Cup. And that answers both questions.
- Desperation: With no Rishabh Pant around, KL Rahul can keep wickets.
- Calculated risk: Considering KL Rahul’s knocks in SENA countries, he will still be a valuable addition in the absence of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane.
Now, the ball is in KL Rahul’s court. If he keeps wicket well and scores runs in four innings, his spot is sealed until Rishabh Pant returns. But if he does fail to fire with the bat in South Africa, he may find it difficult to convince selectors to give him a spot in the Test series against England next. And with the Australia tour next December with a chance of Rishabh Pant returning by then, KL Rahul faces a make-or-break situation. Perform or perish with Ishan Kishan waiting in the wings.
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