‘Ab ye Specialist batter hoga’ – Fans react as Rahul Dravid confirms KL Rahul will not keep wicket during Test series vs England

India’s star cricketer, KL Rahul, who made his wicketkeeping debut during the Test series against South Africa, won’t be continuing the role further in Test cricket. Notably, head coach Rahul Dravid confirms the new development, as KL Rahul will not be the wicketkeeper in the upcoming five matches of the Test series against England, scheduled to commence on January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.

India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, revealed that either KS Bharat or Dhruv Jurel will take up the role. In addition, the former India skipper heaps praise on the star batter, as he played a great role in drawing the Test series against South Africa. Moreover, the former batting legend revealed that they have taken this decision keeping conditions in mind against the England Test series.

“Rahul will not be playing as a wicketkeeper in this series and we are clear about that in the selection itself.  We have picked two other wicketkeepers and obviously Rahul did a fantastic job for us in South Africa and really played a big part in helping us draw the series. But considering five Test matches and playing in these conditions the selection will be between the two other keepers we have,” Rahul Dravid said ahead of the game.

KL Rahul will play as a specialist batter from now on: Reports

However, Indian Cricket Board sources revealed that the management does not want to overburden him by giving him extra duties. In addition, the statement further reads that there are cases of grave injuries, and this is the main reason the management is not interested in giving him wicketkeeping duties.

“Rahul will play as a specialist batter from now on. We don’t want to burn him out by making him do the glovework as well. There is also the chance of him catching an injury while standing behind the stumps, which we can’t afford. Bharat and Dhruv Jurel will be our wicketkeepers in this series,” some sources said being quoted by Hindustan Times.

Check here the fans’ reaction to Rahul Dravid’s statement:

Specialist batter

— 🐐 (@ItsHitmanERA) January 23, 2024

Great decision
Ks Bharath is best wk

— Tharun (@surakshaengg) January 23, 2024

Ks bharat✅

— 𝗞𝗢𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗠 👑🏹🚩 (@WINRAT__Goatli) January 23, 2024

Great chance for dhruv

— Secular Chad (@SachabhartiyaRW) January 23, 2024

Phir KS bharat karega yeh dhru jurel

— Sallu ka Dewana (FAN AC) (@NeeleshNeil) January 23, 2024

As expected, KL Rahul will play as a specialist Batsman. Now fight Between Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill.

— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) January 23, 2024

On what basis they consider KS bharath a better keeper. he was terrible last home series

— Sports & Politics Watch (@grajat341) January 23, 2024

KS Bharat it is then

— AP (@AksP009) January 23, 2024