Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Monday said that the team management will continue with KL Rahul as the wicketkeeper for a while. Virat said that Rahul as wicket keeper will allow the team to exercise the option of playing an extra batsman just like Rahul Dravid did during 2003 World Cup.
Rahul donned the gloves in the recently concluded three-ODI series against Australia after Rishabh Pant suffered a concussion in the first match in Mumbai. Rahul proved to be a more than capable wicket-keeper during the ODIs and did a decent job with the bat as well.
"I think lack of clarity in terms of positions has really hurt us in the past. Now that we understand that this feels right, we will go ahead with that for a while and figure out if this is the right thing to do or not. You cannot chip and change immediately and create confusion among the group", Kohli said.
Virat also hinted that KL Rahul will be the first-choice wicket keeper in the upcoming New Zealand series.
"We are playing very well, unchanged team and did the job two with back to back wins. Don't see any reason why we should change this balance. It has done well for the team", he mentioned.
"It (Rahul's keeping) definitely allows us to play an extra batsman which strengthens our batting massively. That is a very important factor as far as the team balance is concerned," he further added.
The Indian skipper also praised Rahul’s batting and described him as a proper batsman who can play at any batting position.
Rahul played at No.3 in the first ODI, played a finisher’s role at No.5 in the second ODI and opened in place of injured Dhawan in the decider.
“He's very open to playing anywhere because he's a proper batsman. He plays good cricketing shots and that makes you good in any format and at any position in any situation of the game”, Kohli said.
India will play five T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests in New Zealand starting from January 24th.
