KL Rahul A Better Keeper Than Dravid But Can’t Be A Permanent Choice: Aakash Chopra

Mumbai: India’s inform batsman KL Rahul did well in the recent home series be it domestic 50 overs and 20 overs tournaments. Since that superb home stature, Rahul has not really put a foot wrong and the team management has rejoined whatever role the opener has sought.

And, it has been on full display in the ongoing three-match ODI series between India and Australia. Not only has the charismatic Indian batsman made significant contributions with the bat, but he has also earned plaudits for his wicket-keeping skills in the absence of regular keeper Rishabh Pant.

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Meanwhile, former cricketer commentator Akash Chopra praised Rahul’s wicket-keeping skills and described it as superior to Rahul Dravid. However, the former opener feels that India should not look to slot Rahul as a regular first choice in regular 50-over cricket, as he is too precious to be burdened with additional responsibility.
“He is a better keeper than Dravid, but I would not like him to be on a regular basis. Keeping up takes a toll. He cannot survive 50 overs and then extend the batting order,” Chopra said as quoted by India Today ahead of the series decider on Sunday.

“If there’s someone who is good (with the bat) and if he can do another job, it doesn’t mean he should keep either. Rahul is too precious a talent for me to slot in as a keeper-batsman. That way, instead of managing his workload, you are increasing his workload. Once in a while, if he has to keep for the team balance it is okay but in the long run you have to allow him to score 10000 runs and that won’t happen if he is being asked to keep,” added Chopra.

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