INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: Will KL Rahul manage to sustain the workload of wicketkeeping duties for an entire ODI? The question has been a hot topic of
discussion, especially since his selection in the India squad for the ongoing Asia Cup and the upcoming World Cup.On Friday, Rahul addressed
some of the doubts surrounding his wicketkeeping as he spent nearly 45 minutes behind the stumps during practice session.While Rahul has
been displaying fluent batting form during match simulations and net sessions, his wicket-keeping skills have continued to be a big point of
discussion.Rahul's intense keeping drill at nets might have also brightened his chance of getting included in India's playing 11 for the
Super 4 match against Pakistan on Sunday.Rahul last played for India in an ODI match against Australia in Chennai in March this year.Going
through various scenarios of a match was at the core of Rahul's training at the Premadasa Stadium on Friday.The training started with
Rahul standing up to the stumps as two support staff members did the duties of batter and bowler, a simulation of keeping to spinners.Rahul
was given a test on collecting the ball outside off-stump, and the 31-year-old also managed to crouch for the entire duration of training
without much discomfort.It might have given the team management a vivid portend about Rahul's recovery from a niggle which was independent
of the right thigh injury that mandated a surgery and rehabilitation.Rahul soon shifted his focus to collecting the ball down the leg-side
as the support staff aimed his throws in that direction.Rahul aced the test without much difficulty, and glided down the leg to collect the
balls.The drill followed an assessment to test his ability to affect stumpings, and later Kuldeep Yadav batted as Rahul's readiness to
keep against a left-handed batter was also put under the test.The clear indications of his readiness notwithstanding, the team management
will have to apply deep thoughts about giving Rahul a place in the 11.In the absence of Rahul, Ishan Kishan has been playing the
impress all.The Jharkhand left-hander also showed heartening adaptability in this interim
Kishan batted in his preferred opening slot against the Windies.But the management asked him to bat at No
5 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup league match, and Kishan produced a composed 81-ball 82.The management might be tempted to continue with
Kishan but the return of Rahul might have started a change in thinking.In the past too one has seen players walking straight back into the
11 after recuperation, with the latest example being Shreyas Iyer.The Mumbaikar, who made a return to the India side during the match
against Pakistan at Pallekele after a hiatus of 6 months, was allotted the No
4 slot, his chosen position.Meanwhile, Sanju Samson, who was the travelling reserve, returned to India after Rahul joined the squad
here.Pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who skipped the Asia Cup league match against Nepal to be with his wife for the birth of their first child, too
has rejoined the squad, and sweated it out at the nets.(With inputs from PTI)
