SA VS IND 1st Test: Indian Men's Cricket Team coach Rahul Darvid has confirmed that Lucknow Super Giants' captain KL Rahul will have a nod ahead of the backup keeping batsman KS Bharat in the first Test of the two-match Test series against South Africa to be played on the Boxing Day (December 26) at the SuperSport Park in the Centurion.
The Indian coach stated that after having conversations with KL Rahul, the management came to a conclusion of giving him a nod ahead.
“It’s an exciting challenge as we have a couple of keepers to choose from. We have had conversations with KL Rahul, and he is confident of keeping wickets In Tests. He has done it in 50 overs which isn't easy as it takes a lot out of your body. He’s prepared, as in the last six to seven months, he has done a lot of keeping. This will be a new and exciting challenge for him,” said Rahul Dravid while addressing the media personnel in a conference.
Even though KL Rahul has plenty of keeping experience in his bag as he has played as a wicketkeeper batsman for India in 35 ODIs and 8 T20Is, but this will mark his Test debut as a starting wicketkeeper batsman and not a deputy to any keeper. KL Rahul has had an exceptional cricketing year as he performed well in the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup, and even led India to an ODI series victory against the Proteas this December.
India will be aiming for a series victory against the Proteas as they aim to go ahead of Australia and Pakistan in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, whereas South Africa will be resuming their WTC cycle with the first Test at the Centurion. This series will be a farewell series to veteran Deal Elgar of South Africa.