KL Rahul cannot seem to do anything wrong. In the 3rd ODI vs New Zealand he made 112 in 113 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes. Just continuing a rich vein of form that has seen him pile up six scores over 50 in his last 11 ODI innings.
But one must say that since taking over the extra duty of keeping, Rahul has improved his batting greatly. Moved down to No. 5 in the role of a finisher, he produced knocks of 80 vs Australia, 88* and 112 vs New Zealand. All the while he was great behind the stumps in the ODIs and T20Is as well. In the T20I format he opened and did a good job.?
Does the role of keeper cum finisher remind you of someone? Yes, we are talking about MS Dhoni. Dhoni has not played for over 7 months and will turn 39 this year. This means the odds of a comeback are bleak and the question everyone wants to know is who will take his place??
Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel are spent forces. Both are well into their 30s and Wriddhiman Saha too is not on the younger side though he is doing a good job in Tests. Now we come to Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant. Samson is failing with the bat while Pant has failed with both bat and glove. Kohli himself has said that he sees Rahul as a longtime keeper. This also allows an extra batsman to be played. Just what Sourav Ganguly did with Rahul Dravid in the 2003 World Cup and it paid dividends.?
So who is Dhoni's replacement? None other than Rahul. The man has fit into his role well and is doing just what is required of him. Rahul turns 28 this year so age is on his side. Do not be surprised if he is keeping wickets in the 2023 World Cup. He is certainly going to do it at the World T20 later this year.?
With runs, catches and stumpings, he is playing the dual role of keeper and batsman to good effect. Who knows? After Saha is done, Rahul might be given the job in Tests as well. Maybe we shall make an Adam Gilchrist out of him? It's not impossible.?
So that's Rahul for you, the man fitting into Dhoni's shoes. Now those are big shoes to fill but for the moment he is certainly doing justice to the role. He has a long way to go, but the man is on the right track.?
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