Is KL Rahul a wicket keeper: KL Rahul ODI record as wicket keeper batter

India lost the first match of the 3-match ODI series against Bangladesh at the Sher-E-Bangla stadium in Mirpur. Ahead of the match, Rishabh Pant was released from the team on fitness basis, and the team played with KL Rahul as their specialist wicket-keeper.

Rahul batted really well, and he scored a half-century with the bat which allowed the Indian team to score a respectable total. However, he dropped an important catch while keeping which turned the match in Bangladesh’s favour. The debate about Rahul keeping the wickets certainly ignited again.

BCCI have announced that they will not call for any replacement for Rishabh Pant, so it is certain that Rahul be doing the wicket-keeping duties for the Indian team in this ODI series.

Is KL Rahul a wicket keeper

KL Rahul has not been a regular keeper for the Indian team, but he is not inferior to keeping the wickets at least. He has donned the gloves in junior cricket, and he has also seen behind the wickets in the IPL as well. Rahul used to keep the wickets for RCB earlier, and then the continued that with the Punjab Kings as well after his switch.

Although, Rahul only keeps the wickets when there is no specialist keeper playing in the playing 11. During the IPL 2022, Quinton de Kock was doing the wicket-keeping for Lucknow Super Giants, and Rahul played the tournament as a normal fielder. Rahul first did the job for India in 2022 against Australia in an ODI match, where Rishabh Pant was out due to a concussion.

It is safe to say that Rahul has enjoyed playing in the middle order in ODIs, where he has scored 531 runs at an average of 53.10, whereas his S/R has been 113.79. Rahul will definitely be a good option for the Indian team if he can keep the wickets as it will allow the team to play two all-rounders in the playing 11 at numbers 6 and 7.