Team India will look to finally seal a Test series win in the Rainbow Nation when they play the Proteas in the First Test on Boxing day at Centurion's SuperSport Park on Tuesday, December 26. (Cricket News | Full Coverage)
The Test against Temba Bavuma's men is the final in the part of the long tour to South Africa that included three T20Is and as much as ODIs. After a draw T20I series, the Men In Blue bounced back to win the ODI series 2-1.
KL Rahul, led the ODI side that won the series at Wanderers and Boland Park, earned praise from Rohit Sharma ahead of the 1st Test.
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“There are hardly a few players who have just stuck to one position and played throughout their career in that position and KL is one of them,” the Indian skipper said.
“I believe and feel that the way he kept in the World Cup was quite pleasing. And he’s been working hard and he is quite keen to take up that role as well.”
Coach Rahul Dravid too had praised Rahul's wicket-keeping skills.
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“I see it as an exciting challenge, an opportunity for him to certainly do something different. Obviously, with Ishan not being available this opportunity came up, we had a couple of keepers to choose from and Rahul is one of them.
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“We do understand it is not something he has done as often (keeping in Tests). But he has been doing it regularly in 50 overs cricket and that takes a lot out of your body. He has prepared well over the last five to six months, he has done a lot of keeping,” Dravid said.
Test skipper Rohit also went on to add that the Karnataka batter is looking forward to keeping behind the stumps in the Boxing Day Test match.
“But I’m not sure how long he wants to keep, but as of now, he’s quite keen to take that role,” Rohit concluded.
With Ishan Kishan out and KS Bharat still not trusted, Rahul's seniority and his performance behind the stumps in the ODI World Cup, gives India an advantage of playing an extra batter or bowler.
